Monday, August 22, 2011

Article in 'The Outlook' on the works of the Collective

Timbaktu? Arcadia!
From a distance, Timbaktu seems like a mirage. The hilly terrain around is scrub country, angry red soil, thorny bushes, not a sign of water anywhere. In the middle of this is a lush green forest with over 400 species of swaying trees, bushes and creepers. This is Timbaktu, on the edges of Chennakothapalli village in Anantapur, one of India’s worst drought-prone districts where farmers have to coax their parched land every year to grow a crop of groundnut, sunflower or jowar. Tough weather conditions, deforestation and bad agricultural practices over long periods of time has left the farmer and the land on desolation road.
(click here to read more)

Monday, August 1, 2011

Article in 'The Hindu' on the organic farming initiative

Go organic, become self-sufficient
First-time visitors to this remote and drought-prone district are struck with the heady smell of cow dung the moment they enter the village. While this may be repulsive to the guests, for members of the 60-odd farmers in this village, it is their claim to fame because they now boast of health and nutritive wealth.
(click here to read more...)