3 Mins Read

Do you long for the joy of gardening or farming, but feel overwhelmed by setbacks, limited space, or lack of experience? Maybe you’ve already tried your hand at it, but struggle with finding land, managing water, choosing crops, or securing reliable labor. Whatever your hurdle, you’re not alone.

Gardening and farming should be sources of fulfillment, not frustration. Yet, in today’s world, they can feel like demanding jobs with infinite micro-management and uncertainty.

But take a breath! Managed Farmlands offers a tailor-made solution to these challenges. It’s more than just a space, it’s a haven of comfort, convenience, safety, and rewarding agricultural experiences.

Join us as we explore why embracing the concept of Managed Farmlands could be the perfect step toward achieving your gardening and farming dreams, regardless of scale.

In the past, joint families and robust communities eased the farming burden. However, in today’s nuclear family setup and scarcity of farm labor, urbanites face immense stress in solitary farming endeavors, hindering the joy that farming and large-scale gardening should ideally bring.

The need to decentralize and democratize farming on a larger scale is evident. Encouraging numerous individuals to contribute in smaller quantities across spread-out spaces would benefit everyone involved.

Managed Farmlands make farming easier. They save money, help share work, and make it more enjoyable. These places are great for city folks starting farming. They solve worries about getting land, workers, or looking after it. They make farming fun without the hard parts. Want to know more? Let’s uncover and find out together.

Professional Management: Managed farmlands are under the supervision of skilled agricultural professionals who oversee the entire spectrum of farming operations, from planting to harvesting. This encompasses comprehensive management involving pest control, land, water management, etc. Their expertise guarantees meticulous care for your farm and plantations, encompassing crucial tasks such as regular pest management, fertigation, nutrient management, mulching, and various other essential agricultural practices.
Hassle-Free Farming: For busy individuals seeking a farming outlet, managed farmlands offer a convenient solution by eliminating the necessity for constant supervision. Even during adverse weather conditions like heavy rain or extreme drought, a team of farm experts remains on-site to diligently oversee and safeguard your plantations. Daily, timely care is provided to all the plantations on your farmland, ensuring their well-being. With this arrangement, you can savor the rewards of farming without having to dedicate extensive time and effort.
Learning Opportunity: Even if you’re not a seasoned farmer, managed farmlands provide a learning platform. Engage with experts, understand various agricultural techniques, and witness firsthand the farming process.
Access to Technology: These farms frequently integrate modern technologies like advanced sensors, machine learning, and artificial intelligence. These innovative methods optimize productivity and anticipate changing weather patterns, ensuring that your farming experience is effective, efficient, and fruitful.
Diverse Crop Choices: Managed farmlands provide a diverse range of crops and plants available for cultivation, including options like agro and food forests, medicinal plants, fruits and veggies, extensive timber plantations, and more. Explore your agricultural interests by cultivating your preferred produce or experimenting with new crops on these farms.
Community Engagement: Numerous managed farmland projects actively promote community among participants. By engaging with like-minded individuals, you have the opportunity to share knowledge, experiences, and expertise, fostering a supportive farming network. Being part of such a community not only enhances your farming endeavors but also contributes to bolstering social connections and mental well-being. It’s an environment where collaboration and shared interests create a nurturing and fulfilling farming experience.
Environmental Sustainability: Adopt sustainable farming practices without solely shouldering the implementation burden. By capitalizing on economies of scale, you can slash monthly maintenance expenses. These farms prioritize eco-friendly methods such as organic farming, permaculture, and regenerative farming. They aim to enhance soil quality, boost the groundwater table, and curtail soil erosion. These practices foster biodiversity, effectively contributing to the farm’s sustainable maintenance.
Safety and Security: Investing in managed farmlands assures safety and security through expert management that actively mitigates risks associated with theft, pests, and natural calamities. The deployment of CCTV cameras, well-maintained roads, solar street lights, and sturdy boundary walls and fencing effectively protects and supervises your property and crops. This ensures an uninterrupted safe and secure environment throughout the year, every hour, day or night.
Financial Returns: Apart from convenience, managed farmlands offer potential financial gains through long-term land appreciation. You can enjoy the yields without the daily responsibilities of farming, alongside reaping tax benefits. This overall financial advantage underscores the value of investing in these farmlands.
Peaceful Retreat: Escape the urban hustle to serene farmlands. Experience the joy of nature, unwind in green spaces, and relish the calming effects of agricultural surroundings.

Conclusion

Managed farmlands offer an extraordinary opportunity for urban gardening and farming enthusiasts, providing a hassle-free yet deeply fulfilling experience. These lands act as a bridge, accommodating both beginners and experienced enthusiasts, catering to your farming passion amidst urban constraints.

Reflect on the multitude of benefits these managed farmlands provide, paving the way for your farming aspirations to flourish effortlessly. The earlier you invest, the more advantageous it becomes – not only with lower prices but also the potential for substantial land price appreciation and crop yield.

Don’t hesitate; act now and invest in Managed Farmlands and watch your future prosper—both tangibly and intangibly. Your journey towards sustainable farming and financial prosperity starts here.

The Author : Ms. Anusha B. V.

Read Time: 4 minutes

Bengaluru, once known for its serene lakes and gardens, has transformed into India’s bustling IT hub. With an anticipated growth rate of 6% in 2023, the city grapples with burgeoning population density, soaring from 2,985 to 4,378 individuals per square kilometer between 2001 and 2011 projecting a trajectory of higher population density in future realized the urban uplifters demand for increased personal spaces. This rapid urbanization strains infrastructure, triggering traffic congestion, inadequate public transport, and a housing shortfall. The influx of residents intensifies demands for housing and commercial spaces, potentially propelling a surge in real estate and construction. While this expansion brings forth opportunities, including job prospects for locals and a potential economic upturn, Bengaluru faces the challenge of balancing growth with sustainable urban planning. It’s crucial to ensure development aligns with the evolving needs of its growing population.

It is not just the exploding population, but the demographics that makes the earning potential of the influx that is propelling the growth for Bengaluru. The need for larger and greener spaces is what makes land the best investment for the decade. Also, with a depreciating rupee and rise in income levels, land is the only asset that is a perfect hedge against inflation and being an asset that has limited inventory will only make it the safest investment.

CITY ZONING

The zoning in Bengaluru provides a glimpse into the city’s evolving landscape, impacting the potential for resource availability and land appreciation. The city is segmented into distinctive zones, each exhibiting varying degrees of development and growth potential.

Central Zone: High land values and limited availability have saturated the central area, restricting further expansion. The scarcity of land has shifted development towards luxury apartments. This indicates that a significant portion of the investment is directed towards depreciating structures rather than appreciating assets like land

East Zone: East Bengaluru is witnessing substantial growth with a rise in residential supplies, driven by the presence of IT-ITeS companies and available land parcels. This fosters new developments. The upcoming KHIR city in the north/east zones also indicates promising potential for future land investments.”

South Zone: South Bengaluru, with the second-highest new residential supply, is growing due to abundant land, a booming IT sector, industrial developments, and proposed infrastructure upgrades like the metro rail. This area sees a rise in mid-segment residential activities. The expansion has led to the conversion of green belt zones to yellow belt zones, allowing agricultural land to be used for commercial activities. This suggests a significant potential for investing in agricultural lands, which have a higher appreciation potential compared to residential or commercial lands.

West Zone: West Bengaluru, with fewer new projects than other zones, is transitioning from independent bungalows to upscale apartments. Apart from the Peenya industrial area, no significant developments are anticipated in this region. Hence, it is often the least preferred choice for investors

North Zone: North Bengaluru, set for significant growth, is the center of proposed projects like ITIR, aerospace SEZs, and business parks. With 25 mega tech parks planned, most promoting the ‘Walk to Work’ concept, it’s poised to transform. Its proximity to the airport, expressway, and metro rail, along with affordable land parcels and infrastructure enhancements, boosts its growth potential. Envisioned as a self-sustained satellite town, it offers substantial investment opportunities.

The diverse nature of Bengaluru’s zones and Land use dynamics hints at unrealistic urban and development trajectories, influencing future land and resource availability within the city leading to a surge in demand for land on the city’s periphery. As residents climb the socio-economic ladder, land is seen not just as property, but an experiential asset. It’s a space for relaxation, family time, hobbies, farming, and sustainable living. This shift adds depth to land’s utility, transforming it into a source of enrichment.

Interestingly, Bengalureans are now seeking farmland, envisioning it as a prospective home and a sanctuary for creating resources for the future. This stems from an aspiration to create a life-centric experience, immersing themselves in nature’s bounty.

This trend reflects a mindset shift towards harmonious coexistence with nature. It’s about creating a sustainable future where resources are nurtured and replenished. It’s about building homes that are ecosystems teeming with life. It’s about transforming the urban landscape, one farmland at a time. This is the new Bengaluru – a city dreaming of green expanses even as it expands its concrete horizons.

Farmland appreciation Trends in Bengaluru (2001-2016)

The study conducted by H. V. Harishkumar and B. V. Chinnappa Reddy sheds light on the fascinating trends of farmland appreciation in various areas around Bengaluru from 2001 to 2016.

In the Bengaluru urban area, an astonishing pattern emerges as farmland values surged, tripling every five years since 2001. Notably, between 2006 and 2011, the highest percentage increase occurred. This surge was attributed to pivotal infrastructural developments like the establishment of the international airport in 2008, along with the enhancement of roadways such as the signal-free corridor on an elevated expressway and the expansion of NH7 to six lanes from Hebbal to Devanahalli airport.

Peri-urban Bengaluru, witnessing rapid growth due to the presence of the international airport, experienced a remarkable fourfold increase in farmland values during 2002-06 and 2007-12. The most substantial surge in land values occurred between 2001-2006, spurred by anticipations of future developments in the area.

Contrastingly, Bengaluru’s rural areas exhibited lower land values due to minimal urban influence. However, between 2006-11, these areas witnessed the highest percentage increase in land values, hinting at substantial potential for appreciation in the future when urbanization gains momentum.

The study highlights crucial insights. Developmental activities near farmland trigger the highest appreciation and following this appreciation. Furthermore, peri-urban areas highlight more potential for appreciation compared to urban areas, where prices have already reached saturation levels.

Understanding these trends is critical for investors and stakeholders in the real estate sector, guiding strategic decisions in land acquisition and development. The study’s findings provide valuable insights into the nuanced dynamics of farmland appreciation, guiding future investments and development strategies in and around Bengaluru.

“Unlocking Bengaluru’s Farmland Potential: Invest Smart with Hosachiguru”

Hosachiguru presents an unparalleled opportunity for asset appreciation, an ideal weekend retreat, and an opportunity to lead a sustainable lifestyle by growing your own food and staying amidst a like-minded community of green enthusiasts. Seamlessly connect with nature while securing your investment amidst Bengaluru’s expanding zones. Our cherry-picked locations ensure clear legal titles, sufficient water, and excellent quality soil. The apt locations of Hosachiguru for growth align with the trends highlighted by H. V. Harishkumar and B. V. Chinnappa Reddy’s study, emphasizing developmental proximity as a catalyst for maximum appreciation. Embrace the tranquil farm life, envisage future gains, and relish the perfect blend of rural serenity with urban convenience.

Hosachiguru has also earned the trust of over 1500+ community members who are living a green life. The company has the highest rating amongst its peers and are the largest farmland management company in India with over 500+ staff members. Hosachiguru farmlands have appreciated between 10%-25% per annum across projects over the last decade and have been a source of food and a wealth of experience for the Co-farmer community members.

References

Everybody’s story begins with “once upon a time” and it’s up to an individual to cherish the time given and build something to ensure happily ever after.

This is the story of Bhaskar, co-founder of a tech startup living in urban Bangalore. Buried in excel sheets and meeting deadlines, Bhaskar always thought of creating a second home for his family. But building something like that can be a tough decision as numerous crucial points need to be evaluated. After doing the due research, Bhaskar found out about Hoschiguru. Along with being a co-founder, he also became a co-farmer at Hosachiguru. He chose to grow his food forest. He not only built a legacy for his children but also made a sustainable haven for his parents. With Hosachiguru’s food forest, he is also contributing to the environment in a bigger picture. With this investment, Bhaskar can create, nurture and restore the natural biodiversity and ecology. He doesn’t have to free up his schedule to supervise what is happening on the farm. With smart technology- MyFarm app, he can get the reports, ask experts and monitor the yields from his phone, based in real-time.

Modern family life can be stressful and chaotic with various pressures on families. It’s not always easy. Nurturing the physical, emotional, and social development of children can be an uphill battle when you are stuck at work all day. With his sustainable food forest, he has gained something far more valuable- quality time with his family. This has given him a chance to strengthen the bond between himself and his children. The family has indulged in a variety of activities at the farm which has cemented their relationships. The time together has positively impacted the whole family. Bhaskar has felt a change in his personality, life choices, and overall behavior. Not only in his personal life but also in his professional life he is going that extra mile to achieve his goals. Taking some time off and spending it in the Hosachiguru farms has also impacted the strength of their social, physical, mental, and emotional health. This venture had something or the other for his whole family.

Bhaskar has ensured a happily ever after, for his family, you can too. Think about it!

Author: Nihal Anand

Many things come to one’s mind when one thinks of bees. That singular buzz in the air. The prick of the sting. The sweet smell and taste of the honey. And every child’s worst nightmare, those huge honeycombs hanging off trees. As children, we all read about how twelve worker bees would come together to produce one tablespoon of honey. While that is certainly an astonishing fact, what must also be noted is that bees are multitaskers by nature. While it’s possible (though not desirable) to imagine a world without honey, we cannot and should not be compelled to imagine a world without bees. For instance, one-third of our global food supply relies on pollinators like bees, and a world without these workaholics would face acute food shortage.Bees as Environmental Service Providers:

It takes more than just the soil, water and sunlight to facilitate food production. At least 30% of the crops, and 90% of plants in general, require cross-pollination to spread and thrive. Enter bees, our perfect pollinators. Pollination is the unity of the male pollen grain with the female egg cell. Through their pollination odysseys, bees are responsible for the production of many seeds, nuts, berries and fruits which serve as a vital food source to humans and a variety of wild animals. Without them, our gardens would be bare, our plates empty and our ecological balance disturbed.

Bees indeed play a vital part in every aspect of the ecosystem by restoring biological

diversity. They contribute largely to complex, interconnected ecosystems that allow a diverse number of species to coexist.

V.V. Belavadi, a scientist at the University of Agricultural Sciences, says India is home to nearly 796 species of bees with 40% of them endemic to the country. Unfortunately, the population of bees has been declining rapidly over the last few decades. Research at NABARD, the National Bee Board, and state agriculture departments, suggests that bees are dying from a variety of factors like pesticides, drought, habitat destruction, nutrition deficit, air pollution, global warming and more. All of these causes are of anthropogenic origin, which means it is we who are responsible for the two most prominent causes in the aforementioned list, namely pesticides and habitat loss.

How can we save the diminishing Bee population?

A natural, effective, and preventive measure would be to adopt organic farming practices in farmlands. Organic farming practices are environmentally friendly and prevent the use of harmful pesticides. Natural solutions such as compost are not only beneficial to soil health, but also mitigate potential damage to the ecosystem.

With deforestation as a consequence of the steady urbanization on the rise, one can help bolster bee habitats by preserving the existing trees and undertaking tree plantation in their area. Creating dense food forests and agroforests enables cross-pollination and can facilitate new habitats for the bee population to thrive in. No matter where one lives or what one does, there is always a way to do your bit for the bees, whilst keeping a safe distance from their sting. If everyone does their part, all of us win—bees, plants, and people, and can all work together to restore biodiversity by coexisting sustainably. A fascinating fact presented by Bee Careful, an initiative of the Hero Group says “20,000 bees swarming out of a hive several times in a day, could pollinate over 20 million flowers each day”.

If nothing else, at least for the sake of aesthetics, let’s be nice to bees.

References:

Neff, J.L. & B. B. Simpson. 1993. Bees, pollination systems and plant diversity. In Hymenoptera and Biodiversity. J. LaSalle & I.D. Gauld, Eds.: 143–167. CAB International. Wallingford, UK.
Michener, C. 2007. The Bees of the World, 2nd edition. Johns Hopkins University Press. Baltimore and London.
Kevan, P.G., E.A. Clark & V.G. Thomas. 1990. Insect pollinators and sustainable agriculture. Am. J. Altern. Agric.5: 12–22
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41597-020-0461-3
https://www.unep.org/news-and-stories/story/honey-bees-feel-sting-viral-disease

Author: Dr. Ashutosh Srivastava

Soil, also known as “Skin of mother earth”, is a product of millions of years of weathering of parent rocks and transportation of minerals from far off places through wind, water, and other agents. Soil is the largest source of the medium supporting terrestrial land life forms, and comprises of the following five major components viz; minerals, water, air, organic matter and microbial life forms (Miroslav Kutílek and Donald R. Nielsen, 2015). Major functions of the soil in facilitating the survival of human race on earth can be listed as following (Hatfield et al. 2017)

Agriculture has been an activity associated with mankind for over 5500 years, and for all these years, soils have been supporting the survival of mankind without any hindrance. It is in the last two centuries that the activities of humans have resulted in severe damage to the soil, so much so that the uncultivable wastelands have increased at an alarming rate (Lal, 2003).

Causes of Soil degradation

Intensive agricultural practices that rely heavily on water, chemical fertilisers and pesticides, have caused waterlogging and salinity in many parts of the country. The expansion of the irrigation system without adequate steps for treatment of the catchment areas has exacerbated this. Soil degradation is happening at an alarming pace and is affecting regions inhabited by over one-third of the global population. This phenomenon contributes to a dramatic decline in the productivity of croplands and rangelands worldwide, thereby threatening food security and environmental quality. Soil degradation should be, therefore, considered as a major global environmental issue of this century (Labriere et al. 2015).

At this pace of soil degradation, what we would hand over to the generations to come would be terrifying in terms of its ability to support food security of the increasing populations. 33% of the Earth’s soils are already degraded and over 90% could become degraded by 2050 (FAO and ITPS, 2015; IPBES, 2018).

Reversal of Soil degradation

Soil degradation trends can be reversed by conversion to restorative land use, and adoption of recommended management practices. The strategy is to minimize soil erosion, create positive soil organic carbon and nitrogen budgets, enhance activity and species diversity of soil biota (micro, meso, and macro), and improve structural stability and pore geometry. Improving soil quality (i.e., increasing Soil Organic Carbon (SOC) pool, improving soil structure, enhancing soil fertility) can reduce risks of soil degradation (physical, chemical, biological and ecological) while improving the environment. Increasing the SOC pool to above the critical level (10 to 15 g/kg) is essential to set the restorative trends in motion. Site-specific techniques of restoring soil quality include conservation agriculture, integrated nutrient management, and continuous vegetative cover such as residue mulch and cover cropping, and controlled grazing at appropriate stocking rates. The strategy is to produce “more from less” by reducing losses and increasing soil, water, and nutrient use efficiency (Rattan Lal, 2015).

Hosachiguru has been working conscientiously on the above principles through organic management practices. The operational area of Hosachiguru lies mainly in Anantapur District of Andhra Pradesh, which has faced immense pressure from human activities, and is characterised by poor, degraded soils. We at Hosachiguru are working to reclaim the soils in the region by going back to traditional methods of organic farming. A gift, we feel we owe to the future generations.

References:

Hatfield Jerry L. Thomas J.Sauer, Richard M.Cruse (2017) Soil: The Forgotten Piece of the Water, Food, Energy Nexus Advances in Agronomy Volume 143, Pages 1-46

Miroslav Kutílek and Donald R. Nielsen Soil: The Skin of the Planet Earth 2015 (ISBN-13: 978-9401797887) 247p Publisher : Springer

Labrière Nicolas, Bruno Locatelli, Yves Laumonier, Vincent Freycon, Martial Bernoux, (2015) Soil erosion in the humid tropics: A systematic quantitative review Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment Volume 203, 1 May 2015, Pages 127-139.

Lal (2003) Soil erosion and the global carbon budget. Environ. Int., 29 pp. 437-450

Rattan Lal (2015). Restoring Soil Quality to Mitigate Soil Degradation. Sustainability 2015, 7, 5875-5895; doi:10.3390/su7055875. The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA.

Author: Dr. Ashutosh Srivastava

Heartwood formation is a complex process in woody plants, where a series of changes occur in the plant both physiologically and cytologically, resulting in formation of heartwood i.e., timber of commerce (Plomion et al. 2001). This blog is written in the simplest form so that a reader without deep knowledge of plant histology and physiology understands the process.

Cytological observations reveal that in the formation of heartwood, the death of the ray cells is preceded by a period of great physiological activity, and then the protoplasmic membrane disintegrates to liberate the extractives (Chattaway 1952). Another school of thought is that the heartwood formation is an aging process in a living tree, through which the parenchyma cells undergo irreversible changes such as degradation of the protoplasm and the disorganisation of the cell’s oxidizing system, without physiological activation during the process (Frey-Wyssling and Bosshard 1959). Based on the published literature, the process of heartwood formation can be listed as following major events (Kokutse et al. 2010).

Death of parenchyma cells
Sapwood desiccation
Lack of water transport
Accumulation of carbon dioxide and ethylene

All the above processes are directly or indirectly correlated to the stress levels in the plantations. The production cycle followed in Hosachiguru broadly falls in the following growth phases for teak.

Sr. No.	Stages and age class	Management activity	Results aimed at
1.	Stage I- Vegetative phase(0-5 years)	Close initial spacing, Regular watering, fertiliser applications and weed free growth	Straight clear bole. Maximum biomass accumulation with a girth class of 18+ inches for all the trees.
2.	Stage II- Withdrawal phase preparing for first harvest (6-7 years)	No watering or fertiliser application for the 6th and 7th year.	Enhanced stress for the trees resulting in death of parenchyma cells, desiccation of sapwood and heartwood formation.
3.	Stage III: First harvest(End of 7th year) (Optional In High rainfall area)	Removal of alternate rows of the plantation, resulting in opening up of crown and additional space of retained trees for girth increment.	Intermediate returns from the first harvest and more importantly providing a boost for remaining trees for girth growth.
4.	Stage IV: Booster phase(8th-10th year)	Application of irrigation and fertilisers to the retained trees intensively.	Additional boost to the retained trees due to opening of crown and application of irrigation and fertilisers. Aim is to have all the retained trees with 24+ to 36+ inches of girth.
5.	Stage V: Heartwood induction phase(11th-15th year)	No irrigation, no fertiliser application, silvicultural operations like root pruning, girdling and ethereal application for induced stress in plants.	Ensure maximum conversion of sapwood and heartwood through stress indication. The plantation will be ready for harvesting by the end of 14th-15th year.

It may be noted that, at Hosachiguru we aim to support the natural cycles in tree growth patterns in order to achieve maximum commercial timber yield in shorter rotation periods.

Author: Ruchi Renavikar | Nihal Anand

India’s highly variable climate, extremities of temperature and rainfall (eg. drought & flood), led to numerous innovations in water management techniques since the Indus valley civilisation. As a result of this, wells, pumps, irrigation systems, water storage systems and innovative, regional water harvesting techniques, developed over time. Even ancient Indian literature points towards an intuitive understanding of nature and its natural processes. Some traditional methods of rainwater harvesting such as, johads & Kunds (Rajasthan), kuls (Himachal Pradesh), bamboo drip irrigation systems (Meghalaya), Zabo (Nagaland), Eri (Tamil Nadu), Surangam (Karnataka), Ahar pynes (Bihar) are used even today. These traditional systems were intricately designed based on the climatic conditions, soil type and land elevation to harvest maximum rainwater during the heavy monsoons witnessed in India.

The continuous evolution of technology and Ai based models that support decision making have now set water management in agriculture on a new trajectory. Although one can never completely replace or mimic natural ecosystems, Ai in water management helps in understanding and analysing when a plant is stressed due to either scarce or excess water supply. Both these conditions are detrimental and fatal to plants if not corrected immediately. Ai models are programmed to assess the optimum level of water required for a plant based on a nexus of interrelated factors such as: plant type, species, climatic data, temperature, soil moisture, soil type and the irrigation system as well. With the advent of automated irrigation systems, human error of approximation can also be eliminated when coupled with Ai models.

How does irrigation automation help in saving water?

When linked to the soil moisture sensors, the automated irrigation systems can be programmed to sense the area’s dryness and irrigate the land. This can help save water in the following ways:

It will irrigate the land only when the plant is thirsty.
It will avoid excess irrigation by stopping the water flow as soon as the sensor gives an ideal reading. Leaching of soil nutrients is a frequent, undesirable occurrence that results due to excessive moisture in the soil, something that can be easily avoided by such smart irrigation systems.
Different soil types might be present in the same piece of land, each with a different water requirement. Manually irrigating these zones without over-irrigating or under-irrigating is a logistical nightmare. A smart irrigation device will take into consideration the soil retention capacity of each of the soil types, and customize its water flow so as to keep the moisture content ideal.

What are the benefits of smart water management systems?

As mentioned above, smart irrigation can help save water, time, and costs, by bringing down manual labour through automation
Irrigation motors can be switched on and off with the push of a button, sitting miles away; they can also be used with either run time or water flow as a variables
Soil dryness and Leaching can be brought down to a bare minimum by the soil moisture sensors recognizing the water requirement of the plant

What are the best methods to harvest water and make it sustainable for both farm operations and the environment?

Rainwater harvesting systems (RWHs)
The most traditional form of rainwater harvesting, rainwater is captured on roof catchments and stored in groundwater reservoirs. The use of this rainwater can be intermittent, such as for irrigation during dry spells, or for the entire year for domestic uses. India’s primary source of freshwater is not actually rivers but the annual monsoons that feed the rivers. Therefore harnessing rainfall during this season is critical and anyone with a farming background will be familiar with this. Rainfall naturally seeps into the soil and fills the ground water table. The rainwater stored in the ground can be extracted using borewells.
Flood water harvesting (FWH)
In this additional form of rainwater harvesting, flood water is abstracted during the peak rainy season and stored in an underground tank that can later be used for irrigating the farm when water is scarce during the dry season..
Microcatchments
Microcatchments are designed to collect water from runoffs in a small catchment area. They are constructed in such a way that the runoff water infiltrates the soil and collects in the root zone, supplying water directly to the plants. On a larger scale, these microcatchments can lead to significant groundwater recharge.

According to the United Nations, 40% of the worlds’ population lives in areas of moderate to high water stress. However, this stress is not evenly distributed around the world. States like India, Mexico, USA and China rank among the fastest consumers of ground water sources. Agriculture in India, accounts of 90% of total groundwater use due to high levels of extraction and poor irrigation systems. We are using our groundwater faster than it can be replenished and therefore it is crucial that we put back the water that we are not using. Maintaining a balance in the groundwater table is essential to the functioning of natural ecosystems. The Gaia Hypothesis for example, embodies the same. The Gaia hypothesis is a greek concept for mother earth that suggests that “the Earth is a living organism with a complex feedback system that seeks an optimal balance in its physical and chemical environment”. Today, we may be able to achieve ground water balance through Ai supported machine learning systems. In essence natural systems are characterised by negative feedback loops and therefore are self-limiting in any scenario, however human controlled resource systems have positive feedback loops which are self-reinforcing. For example, ground-water extraction leads to more productivity on land and this leads to higher produce output which further leads to more groundwater extraction. Ai can allow us to create negative feedback loops that limit the over-use of groundwater in India.

With Ai, smart farmers are realising it is no longer necessary to uniformly apply fertilizers, pesticides and water across the farms. Instead, many farmers are realising that applying the minimum required quantity of nutrients and water is not only sufficient but beneficial for plant growth. Farms and agricultural industries are expected to run very differently than before. Advancements in technologies such as Ai, remote sensing, field sensors, drones, machines and information technology will make agriculture more profitable, efficient and environmentally conscious than ever before.

References

Tietenberg, T. & Lewis, L., 2012. Environmental & Natural Resource Economics. 9th ed. Boston: Pearson Education.

Nair, K. S., 2004. Role of water in the development of civilisation in India- A review on ancient literature, traditional practices and beliefs. The basis of civilisation – water science, Issue 286, pp. 1660-166.

Dhawan, V., 2017. Water and agriculture in India. Background paper for South Asia expert panel during the Global Forum for Food and Agriculture, s.l.: Teri, German Agribusiness Alliance, German Asia-Pacific Business Association.

Microsoft, 2021. News Microsoft. [Online] Available at: https://news.microsoft.com/europe/features/how-ai-and-satellite-data-are-helping-farmers-waste-less-water/ [Accessed 2nd March 2021].

Author: Nihal Anand

Two notable events happened in the year 2020. The Covid-19 pandemic made people prioritize health over anything else. They started to look for options other than traditional real estate that would help them not only in the long run but also in the present times, and what better than farmland that takes you closer to nature. Simultaneously, the Karnataka government heard the calls of the urban populace, and amended the old, archaic Karnataka Land Reforms Act, by easing the restrictions that existed on the ownership of agricultural land in the state. This much-needed amendment has now opened the doors for any individual/institution to own farmland in Karnataka.

Here is a key summary of the Act through the years:

The Sections	The PastThe Karnataka Land Reforms Act (1961)	The PresentThe Karnataka Land Reforms Act (2020)	The Future
Section 63	Ceiling on holding of agricultural land limited to 10 units* per individual	Ceiling increased to 20 units per individual (it means that the land ceiling for a dry land has increased from 54 acres to 108 acres)	Any green enthusiast of any professional background from anywhere in the country, under any income bracket, with a passion for agriculture can buy farmland in Karnataka to fulfil their dream of owning farmland.
Section 79A	No family (HUF) having a non-agricultural income of over 25 lakhs per annum could own agricultural land.	Sections 79A has been repealed. Now, anyone can own land as there is no income slab.
Section 79B	No person from a non-farming family of Karnataka could ever own agricultural land	Section 79B has been repealed; anyone from a non-farming family from anywhere in India can also own agricultural land in Karnataka.
Section 80	Agricultural land cannot be transferred to a non-agriculturist	The Section has been amended to propose restrictions on land transfer, as opposed to a complete bar.

* One unit is equal to 5.4 acres

Implications of the Act:

The amendments to these archaic laws have opened up the agricultural business, a sector that is witnessing an influx of investments. In fact, the people owning these lands will themselves benefit from these reforms because it opens up their land to different avenues and opportunities.
Karnataka’s already thriving service sector will receive an even bigger boost. Infrastructure, tourism, transport, and hospitality will all demand an increase in investment and manpower, and this Act facilitates the impetus.
More than anything, it’s the common Karnataka citizen whom this Act will impact the most. People will no longer have to travel to another state to purchase land. Many agriculture enthusiasts who dream of owning land despite not having an agricultural background can now fulfil their dream.

Hi Srinath,

On behalf of my family, I would like to heartily thank the entire Hosachiguru team, for a wonderful and memorable stay at Bristlecone!

My experience with Hosachiguru so far, has been nothing less than phenomenal! Right from the time I was referred to you by a good friend, my first interaction with Vidya a few months ago, to our stay there last weekend. I don’t know if you recruit people who are so friendly or train them to be so, but whatever the case may be, you guys are doing a fantastic job, to make us feel like part of a larger family.

Bristlecone was impeccable in terms of location, maintenance and staff. It was more than any five-star resort could offer. It was just a feeling of bliss to be in the midst of nature and yet have our basic needs taken care of.

For the children, they experienced something really out of their world; they learn to be a part of and live in tandem with nature – something that enhances their life skills and moulds them into better individuals. Can’t wait for Abhivrudhi to reach this stage, with the expansion and development plans in store.

We visited Eco Habitat as well, on our way back. Your agronomists there are so full of knowledge and ever willing to share their learnings. The proximity of Eco Habitat to the city, makes it a perfect weekend getaway, tucked amidst nature.

Last but not the least, the scrumptious meals that were cooked with mostly organically grown ingredients, in our very own gardens, was the cherry on the cake.

All in all, a wholesome experience for all age groups. Looking forward to moving there, in the next few years and leading the simple but rich life that nature has to offer. Thanks to Hosachiguru, for making this dream a reality and for bringing nature closer to the masses, efficiently, honestly and delightfully.

Best Regards,

The Rathinam family.

LIFE ON LAND