A retired police sub-inspector in Thiruvananthapuram has successfully cultivated basmati rice in 40 pots on the terrace of his house in Pongumoodu. Prasannan G, who took up terrace gardening after retirement, now tends to rice stalks that have reached four feet in height, marking a successful experiment.
Challenges of Growing Basmati Rice
Farming basmati rice requires exceptional focus and care. Each pot contains 10 to 15 saplings and needs one and a half litres of water. Watering is done manually, and it must be done carefully because too much water can spoil the crop. Prasannan previously harvested 300 grams from one pot of another rice variety and hopes to get more from the basmati.
How the Experiment Began
The opportunity to cultivate basmati rice arose when a friend received an invitation to visit a farm and factory in Punjab in December. Prasannan asked his friend to bring some seeds, and he brought a small spoonful. Initially, Prasannan failed to raise the crop. He then kept the pots in a place that was not too cold or hot, and the seeds germinated. Once rooted, he exposed the pots to direct sunlight.
All the stalks are healthy and will be ready for harvest in 15 days.
From Retirement to Terrace Farming
Prasannan retired in 2010 and turned to farming as a way to reconnect with his roots. He started terrace gardening in 2015 due to lack of space. He began with a small vegetable garden and later diversified. He created a record by cultivating mukkizhangu and harvesting 125 kilograms of the crop.
Rice Cultivation Journey
In 2018, after reading an article about a person cultivating rakthashali rice in Puthoor, Prasannan tried growing rice. The next year, he cultivated the Uma variety, which was also successful. In 2019, he received the Best Terrace Farmer award.
A Ray of Hope
At a time when people are more inclined to prune and cut trees, the terrace garden Prasannan created on a 16-cents plot stands as a ray of hope for urban farming.
