Thiruvananthapuram’s N Harikesan Nair Wins Kerala Award for Best Nutrition Garden

Quick Summary

• N harikesan Nair, a retired bank employee from Thiruvananthapuram, won the State Farm Awards 2024 for the best organic nutrition garden.
• his farm is located in Sree Nagar, Kalippankulam, near Manacaud and spans approximately 2,500 sq. ft., including his home’s terrace and surrounding area on a 10-cent plot.
• Crops include fruit-bearing trees (dragon fruit, mango, jackfruit) grown in pots on terraces; vegetables (beetroot, celery); medicinal plants (neela amari, turmeric), and flowers (marigold, lotus).
• Paddy is cultivated on the terrace using vertical arrangements to maximize space utilization.
• farming methods include zero pesticide use with biogas slurry as fertilizer alongside waste management at the source. A few honeybee colonies aid pollination.
• Challenges include climate change impacts such as unexpected rain and wind damage to crops.
• The yield is shared among friends and family but not marketed commercially; additional groceries are minimal.

Photo: Terrace paddy cultivation at N Harikesan Nair’s home. | Credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT

Indian Opinion Analysis

N Harikesan Nair’s achievement exemplifies sustainable farming practices that blend resourcefulness with eco-conscious techniques like vertical gardening. This initiative resonates with India’s overarching goals of self-sufficiency in agriculture while addressing urban space constraints through innovative approaches like terrace farming. His garden also aligns with circular economy principles by utilizing waste efficiently for composting.

The model showcased by Mr. Nair could serve as inspiration for individuals across urban settings seeking to create green spaces amidst rapid city expansion-particularly those concerned about food security or climate resilience efforts in India.However, challenges such as unpredictable weather highlight systemic issues linked to broader environmental shifts that need collaborative solutions from both policy-makers and local communities.

Read more