IITGN community relishes a day at its organic farm

More than 170 faculty and staff members of the institute, along with their families, enjoyed a day close to nature at the institute’s own organic farm on January 19. The Organic Farm Team of IITGN had organised a farm tour and village-style lunch for the community members replete with a variety of recreational activities like pottery and mehndi.

The community members were delighted to learn about the variety of vegetables and crops being grown on farm, and heard about some farming practices and experience the unique community-farming initiative. This was followed by a village-style lunch amid the natural environs, prepared with fresh veggies from the farm and prepared with a touch of Gujarati flavour (Bajra no rotlo and shaak with lasan ni chatni and athela marcha). 

The IITGN organic farm grows several varieties of vegetables like cabbage, cauliflower, tomato, brinjal, potato, cucumber, bottle-gourd, ladyfinger, spinach, fenugreek, carrot, beetroot, cluster beans, long beans, chilies, green garlic, green tuver and coriander etc. It also cultivates special vegetables like broccoli, kale, zucchini, lettuce, pumpkin and so forth.

Farm activities are being expanded by growing millets and wheat. It uses only completely organic fertilisers for growing various crops. Community members can participate in the volunteer programme every Saturday and contribute to the organic farm activities. Interestingly, the community members can also buy the community organic farm produces every Monday, Thursday and Saturday.