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Project at Elephant Valley
Pilot Project conducted for Financial viability of Medium Scale Organic Seed Production of Vegetables Varieties at Kodaikanal
Annadana entered into partnership with Elephant Valley Eco lodge and an organic farm, a private stake holder, where land was provided along with infrastructure, basic development and running costs.
Annadana provided technical expertise and monitoring of the project. Elephant Valley is a beautiful property and organic coffee plantation of 100 acres situated at the hedge of a reserve forest, crossed by 1 km of natural river and water fall. 6 months of a year, it is habited by wild elephants.
The aim at Elephant Valley eco- lodge was to be able to provide to its customers fresh vegetable from the garden, moreso the garden to be a center of interest for walks, activities and learning opportunity for its guests.
Based in Palni Hills, Tamil Nadu, on a elevation with agro climatic conditions which permit quality seed production along with a 10 months intensive growing seasons for a variety of fresh summer and temperate vegetables ( know popularly as English Vegetables) were sold to Pondicherry and Chennai organic markets and
gourmet distributors
In the duration of 3 years, a model of a seed production unit was set up, which proved financially lucrative supported by the sale of fresh organic vegetables. This model was then shared with NGO’s, farmer’s association, charitable trust, corporate social responsibilities, as much as State institutions to develop financially their own autonomous seed production gardens.
The objective was to further outreach the free distribution programme of seeds kits and seeds packets for the benefit of small scale farmers and home gardeners.
The project a success, 2 acres were dedicated to vegetable growing and 1 acre to seed production. The vegetable plots grew varieties of fresh vegetables like salad, red radishes, zucchini, brocoli, peas, beans, carrots, beats, tomatoes, capsicum , brinjals, cucurbits, turnips, cabbages and herbs…. allowing the farm to maintain an average income of Rs. 25, 000 per months and paid off for its total operation including the running cost of the Seed garden. The seeds garden produced quality seeds of Zucchini, Bell Capsicum,
Beans, Corn, Brinjal, Amaranthus, Red Radish and Salads which were distributed free of cost by Annadana Seed Bank.
The finding of this project were critical as it proposed and demonstrated on how seeds can be made available to farmers by institutions without resorting to the sale of the seed itself.
We believe and practice at Annadana:
- Seeds are not an object of business to be sold but a gift of life to itself.
- The exchange of seeds between farmers, gardeners and communities as it has been for thousands of years is being revived.
  
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