GUNDU FARM: WHATS GOING ON?

Going out of Kathmandu to our family farm in Gundu always gets me excited. The fresh air, the simple lifestyle of the community, and getting to work with the soil lures me to visit the farm everyday.

It takes approximately an hour to walk down from Suryavinayak to Gundu farm. I cannot help but smile when I pass the people as they work endlessly in the farm throughout the day. There are chickens, goats, cows, dogs, all mingling with the life around. As I walk along the narrow muddy path to the farm numerous bird species can be seen along the way such as the magpie robin, grey backed shrike, and some egrets. The tile and hay thatched roofs on the houses blend perfectly with the forested and the agricultural land.

  View from the Gundu Farm-house

An avid promoter of organic farming, my family has been involved in farming in the area for over a decade. The process has been rewarding as we are trying to challenge the existing commercial farming system that is dedicated towards mass production of food while poisoning the soil, the existing ecosystem and ultimately destroying our health. There is no more a need to wait for different seasonal vegetables. We have forgotten the seasons and the crops that come with it. Commercial systems are slowly destroying the culture and the pattern of crops and seasons that have been a part of our farming system. I want to therefore make more of a pictorial diary with some descriptions on seasons and crops.

What’s growing  in the month of falgun (february)?

I mean the sun is getting stronger each day and the temperature is rising, for sure the growing months are here. In addition the winter rain this month for few days has helped the soil and the crop. Sure looks great now.The first thing we see are lots of bare land that has been freshly ploughed and has been ready for planting and some have already been planted.

Vegetables

Peas and cabbage are some of the vegetables that were cultivated in the winter and are being harvested at the moment. Varities of spinach such as Raya ko saag, tori ko saag, palango ani chamsur are in abundance in the farm. They are delicious to cook simply with ghyu ko Bhutan and enjoy it with rice in the warm sunshine and the view of the mountains.

As these green vegetables are being harvested we have already prepared seedlings to be planted. Local varieties of pumpkins, beans, coriander, carrots are ready to set their roots in the ground.

                                 Pumpkin and cucumber seedlings ready to be planted                          

 Potatoes are on the ground

Fruits

Aaru  and aaru-bakhara (plums varities) are in flower everywhere. The blossom adds a beautiful delight in the farm. In a few months the flowers will give way to some delicious summer treat. We will wait for it. Enjoying the flowers for now!

Fungi: Shitake mushroom

In many parts of Asia, Shitake mushroom stands as a symbol of longevity due to their health-promoting properties. Shitake mushroom has been used I China for more than 6,000 years inthe form of medicine. We have inoculated our some trees of the species Alnus nepalensis with Shitake mushroom. It took a year for the mushroom to grow and now will continue the fungi growth for the next coming 5 years.

Shitake growing in the farm-its exciting

Grains and oil

Wheat

Wheat is still in its early stages while the mustard seeds are ready and soon will be ground to prepare local mustard oil. The value of mustard oil needs to be highlighted. A quick search made me realise that it has many medicinal properties and has been regarded highly both in Ayurveda and in current mainstream medicine. Look out for the fresh mustard oil this season for cooking and as massage oil.

Mustard seeds

Cooking lunch

Yum daal bhat!!!

Preparing lunch while enjoying the great view and eating out in the balcony. It’s a great joy to grow, pick, feel the earth and then finally supplement oneself with the simple food that comes with great company of wonderful people around. Great life, good health and happiness-all in all a complete bliss!