Chennai, Mar 6: Babu and Indira, a nature-loving couple from TNGO colony, Nanganallur have turned their rooftop as organic farm. Babu, who runs an optical shop and his wife Indira, who manages a lingerie outlet both at Nanganallur, seem to have realised the need to go an extra mile to ensure safe and self sufficient food habits.
Speaking to News Today, Indira says, ”People think taking vegetables and fruits will help them maintain good health but nothing could be further from the truth. None of us have the time to understand how poisonous the vegetables turn by the use of pesticides and inorganic fertilizers in producing them.”
When asked what inspired them to take up organic farming, Babu says, ”My father is a farmer and he 
is my guide. We have half acre of land in Vaniyambadi which offers us the soil required for our organic farm. Also I grew up working in the fields. That helped me plan it well before we kickstarted our rooftop farm.”
”A mixture of neem refuse (Veppam Punaaku), pungam punaaku, goat dung and cow dung are given as food to the soil. These take a year or two to get soaked and settle. But once they are into action, they do the required magic. The pace at which the plants grow and yield vegetables keep us on our toes. The fresh vegetables peep out in crowds inside the pot giving us the joy of parenting them.” says Indira.
On the face of it, the plants that are currently having their home at Babu’s terrace are brinjal, tomato, ladies finger, kalanchoe, mehendhi and varieties of spinach. ”We welcome different plant guests to our farm according to the season. We have also hosted radish, bitter gourd, snake gourd, mint and coriander previously. After a break during summer, colourful flowers would join our green family.” adds Babu.
”I challenge that the fervent flavour and the unique size that vegetables in my organic farm possess can not be found in vegetables reared by inorganic means. My husband and children relish my ladies finger stew that they even compare it’s taste with that of the fish stew I prepare.” says Indira.
”We repel insects by placing between the leaves thulaka samanthi which spreads bitter fragrance. Neem oil too comes to help in naturally protecting my plants. Generally, the tender spinach leaves would dry up when uprooted and kept in sun for more than ten minutes. I wonder how much chemical treatment the ones in the market may undergo to look fresh and fine for days together.” states Babu.
Talking about their motive behind setting up this non-profit organic farm, Indira explains, ”As we are stepping into our fourth year, our only earnest expectation from sharing the vegetables with family and friends is that, organic farming in it’s true sense should be adopted widely. Farmers must come forward to follow health preserving organic farming methods. I hope the government takes the initiative to alleviate the farmers’ fear of a possible dent in their income while shifting to organic farming practices.”
The Nanganallur couple finds peace and pleasure in spending an hour a day in organically bringing up these health promoters in this concrete jungle. They expect everyone to realise the role of naturally grown food in a healthy and happy person’s routine.