Namdhari’s Farm Fresh

February 2017

Namdhari’s Farm Fresh

We, being usual visitors to the grocery shop named Namdhari’s Fresh, were invited to pay a visit to their farm. At 8 in the morning, my dad and I (my mom was slightly ill and told us to go) were waiting for the bus to come, before the shop’s door. When we entered, we had to sit on the back seats for ours was the last stop on the way to the farm, located near Bidadi. On the way, I slept, leaning on the side of the bus as I am rocked to sleep whenever I travel.

I suddenly woke up due to a large bump on the road. There were abundant trees along the road that shaded us from the bright rays of the sun that were making their way through the glass. In a couple of minutes, we reached. Greenery surrounded us, a pleasant feeling rushed through my body. Chillies were left to soak up the sun on a large sheet. We entered the building ahead of us, to see the large packaging unit.

We were all given to wear special caps so that our hair wouldn’t spoil the place. We saw a few sample vegetables and fruits laid on a table that were available locally. We were to split into groups and follow a guide. After washing our hands thoroughly, we followed the guide into a large room, where the packaging was done for export. There was a plant quarantine section as well. The well-trained women worked on the packaging, chopping, freezing and more work.

5/2/2017

Work in the air

Baby corn, chillies, red cabbages and more, all chopped, cut and packed into boxes and boxes. In the refrigerating room, boxes went in and we too followed, although we weren’t to be refrigerated. Apples, corn and more were to be exported to European countries and were stored in the room. Many women, all in aprons and caps, worked around and perfectly packaged it.

Red cabbage cleaning

Baby corn to be stored in the freezing room

We next went to a greenhouse in the bus as it was a bit far away. The greenhouse was 1.25 acre and housed the ceiling-to-floor plants. All thick and wonderfully green, the lush plants were dotted with chilli Fresno peppers. We walked along the rows of plants on each side. They looked absolutely fresh and organic, without pesticides and other chemicals. Soon, we were to move to our next destination.

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Large and lush

The large Freshno chillies decorate the lush, large, prized and pruned plants, running from the ceiling to the floor. The vibrant and unique red coloured fresh natural bearings of the plants spotted them. Rows and rows of the striking plants were planted along the path. All drip irrigated, it was perfectly grown in the 1 ½ acre of land. 

We went ahead to the cow barn where about a thousand cows were kept! Namdhari’s Fresh sold fresh cottage cheese made with the cow's milk (known as paneer in India) and cow poop (dung) is of great use😜. Large milking machines were located near the barn, where about twenty-four cows could get milked at a time! The cows were well trained and would come when a specific type of music was played. The calves were kept in seperations with lots of hay in it for their comfort. They were also provided with water and food and helpers helped some of them take their first steps. Many adorable calves looked at us with their shiny winsome eyes as we tried to feed them. Some accepted the food from our hand, but many did not for they were too scared. 

5/2/2017

‘Moo’ says the cow.

The large barn of healthy cows with number tags on their ears greedily hogged down the fodder given to them. Some got their backs well scratched by a machine, just by moving slightly under its big brush. They happily chugged down water from the buckets of water given to them. Healthy and happy, they all were. Their little new born calves were fed milk and for the slightly developed ones, they gave other nutritious food. Some cuddled and ate from our hands but the others were too timid. The healthy cows gave the farm healthy milk, as well as perfect manure.

It was time for a small rest and our final destination. We sat in the canteen area and had some tea and biscuits for snacking on. Resting for a while, we continued our journey to the place.
A breath-taking sight I saw before me, a blast of colours filled the place and bees rushed around, flying as quick as they possibly could. Lush bushes with different flowers of the most radiant colours blasted through, bewitching me. How delightful and beautiful was the sight before my eyes. Hundreds of yellow marigolds of different shades dotted their green lush leaves; just like the other flowers of different colours which together put you into a fantasy. Walking further down the path, tomatoes, eggplants, cucumbers and other tasty veggies were planted. All labelled with their unique breed type, they all looked ready to eat. After admiring the beautiful veggie and flower garden of colours, we went back to the bus, sad to leave behind the enchanting stream of colours.
We went back home, eating my mom’s delicious food waiting for my dad and I. Tranquil time in the healthy farm, we spent in the farm whose beauty is indescribable.