Now, the Centre for Wildlife Studies (CWS) at Pookode, under the Kerala Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, has come out with an integrated capsular farming concept titled I-farm to address the issues.
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An I-farm unit[/caption]
The farming unit is based on the principles of Integrated Aquaponics, a technique that marries horticulture, aquaculture and poultry farming to help the farmer raise fish and hens while he also grows plants.
"The idea originated when as I decided to start farming for my family at my home in Wayanad. The thriving monkey population in the area meant that my vegetable gardens were often uprooted and destroyed by their visits. I wanted to design a way of farming that would help families grow food for themselves without obstructing or relocating wild animals. So I did some research, tried aquaponics at home and designed a unit for this purpose. Next, I pitched the design to Kerala Veterinary and Animal Sciences University", says the officer-in-charge, a veterinary surgeon at the Centre for Wildlife Studies at Pookode.The 8x5x6 feet welded mesh fabricated shed of an I-farm unit houses an aquaponics unit (consisting of two aquaria), a poultry unit and one tray for growing vegetables. In I-farm, the water from the aquaria is directly used to grow plants in submerged gravel beds. Rainwater harvested through channels can also be utilised in this system. Vegetables can also be grown in PVC channels fixed to both the sides of the unit and grow-bags with standard potting mixture.
Simply put, aquaponics is an efficient and environment-friendly system for farming fish and plants together in a mutually beneficial cycle. Fish are kept in large tanks and the plants are grown hydroponically; that is, without soil. They are planted in beds with a little gravel or clay and their roots hang down into the water. The gravel serves as a home to the nitrifying bacteria that convert ammonia to nitrite and then to nitrate.
The water is cycled through the system, so that it collects the "waste" from the fish. This waste is turned by microbes into nitrates that aren't good for the fish if they build up too much, but they're great fertilizer for plants. Nutrient-rich water is then pumped to the plant beds, where it is filtered naturally by the plants and can then be returned to the fish tanks.
Unlike traditional farming methods, no chemical fertilizers are needed for the plants: they all come from the fish-waste. It also tends to be organic, because the use of pesticides would be damaging to the fish. Per square foot, it’s one of the most productive forms of agriculture and is a perfect example of a self-sufficient assembly of plants and animals that functions like an ecosystem, producing food for people without creating waste products or pollution.
The I-Farm unit also consists of an Aishwarya poultry unit with Athulya White Leghorn breed of poultry, each of which provides more than 300 eggs per year. The Aishwarya project is aimed at helping urban residenys keep poultry in the limited space available with little or no odour. The cages given under the project are equipped with automatic drinking system that provide water for birds for one week. Each cage has an egg tray, a protective cover, a PVC sheet to collect bird droppings to be used as manure, and a stand. To prevent bad odour, a specially formulated acidifier deodoriser spray is also given.
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An Aishwarya poultry unit[/caption]
I-farm also has a simple compost unit to ensure the convenient management of poultry manure and kitchen waste. Poultry manure is very high in nitrogen and also contains a good amount of potassium and phosphorus. However, the high nitrogen in the chicken manure is dangerous to plants if the manure has not been properly composted. Raw chicken manure fertilizer can burn, and even kill plants. Composting chicken manure mellows the nitrogen and makes the manure suitable for the garden.
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To increase the productivity of the unit even more, the roof of I-Farm is made of welded mesh that can be used as a template for growing a green roof of flower, vegetable or fruit bearing climbing plants like passion fruit. The entire unit can be easily installed (and dismantled) on the roof of terraced buildings, small courtyards or in the kitchen garden.
I-farm is dedicated to sustainable farming and the farmer within each of us. In the mane, 'I' stands for three things: individual (who farms for his family), intelligent (maximising productivity while minimising wastage) and integrated (poultry, aquaculture and organic agriculture)", says the officer-in-charge, adding that the unit can be easily customized.
"There's a lot that can be added to this unit. Let your imagination decide where to stop. For instance, one can place a nesting box for sparrow inside, with an entrance and exit from the I-farm. If a house sparrow family decides to settle, they may help pick out worms that can harm your plants and support your organic adventure! You would also have played your part in sparrow conservation", says the officer-in-charge with a smile.The Kerala Veterinary and Animal Sciences university aims at making the unit available to all families interested in growing its own food at a reasonable price. Each I-farm unit costs ₹35,000 and this includes all components, seeds, supplies etc. However, the demand is already outweighing the supply. So, the University has installed pilot units in its campus to demonstrate how integrated capsular farming works and to encourage interested individuals to take it up. Some of the I-farm units have also been distributed to tribal communities to help them supplement their meagre incomes. The introduction of I-farm units has also encouraged peaceful co-existence of people with wild animals in Wayanad, by allowing cultivation of crops and production of eggs in human-wildlife conflict areas. For details, contact chandy@kvasu.ac.in or de@kvasu.ac.in. Here's the link to the website of Kerala Veterinary and Animal Science University.
Also Read: Growing Soil-Less With Hydroponics: An Introduction to Innovative Farming at Home