Challenges in farming

The above picture is of banana trees being cut off because a certain type of bug had destroyed it completely. It was cut off before the bug destroyed the banana tree next to it, also. Only when the tree is dropping and the leaves are dry, we will be able to know that the base has been affected badly. We use only organic manure like cow dung and no insecticides. So, such instances are common.

The bitter gourd in this picture has turned out to be the most bitter variety of them all. I do not think anyone would be able to eat it. The only thing to do is to make it into 'vattal' or sun dried chips which can then be fried or I will try Geetha Rao mam's recipe.

This photo, taken earlier reminds me that we had to cover the snake gourd so that it won't be bitten by a bug. We could save some of these but when we sliced one, the inside was rotten and filled with certain bugs. The discolouration of the skin will reveal whether it has been affected.

The pineapple farmers to whom we had leased the land will leave after their final harvest. The fruits are ripe and ready to be cut. Meanwhile, a buffalo which had strayed into our place decided that the bananas and pineapples were meant to be eaten by him. one fine morning, when my husband had gone to take a look, he saw the buffalo standing in between the pineapples, its rope caught between the thorns of the plant. He did not go too near because it was kind of huge and mean looking. The damage had been done. 24 banana trees had been trampled and about two rows of pineapples too. Later, the owner of the buffalo was found and he paid compensation to the lease farmer. I should have taken a picture of the buffalo but forgot about it in between the morning chores.

This mango tree flowered not so long ago and look at those tiny mangoes. These cannot be pickled because the skin is sour but when ripe, it makes an excellent mango jelly. I am hoping that at least some mangoes ripe because once it starts ripening, it attracts bugs which love to lodge itself inside the mango.

Next comes the tamarind which is plenty but when it falls down, it is in a destroyed state. The inside is black and sorts of powdery. The pulpy fruit part as you can see above is absent. Strange, is it because of the suddent heat or the humidity or bugs. No one has an answer.

Changes in climate

The golden shower tree was supposed to have flowered only at the time of Vishu(April 15), a harvest festival of kerala but our tree has already flowered and the flowers have started falling down. I do not think it will last until April 15th.

The red spinach patch has been attacked by worms but I plucked a few leaves and used it in curries. As for tomatoes, I have not been successful. Two plants are there and I hope it does flower before being attacked.

What are the challenges you face as a farmer? Please write a post about it.

image source - sayee