Border trees are a common feature amongst our farmers’ fields, acting as a barrier against natural disasters and wild animals. Our demo farmer Ketan Jashubhai Patel uses Neem trees along his farm, which his father planted many years ago, to provide wind break and soil cover.

‍

Ramesbhai Sankaliya, a regenerative farmer whose practices are used to train our farmers, is also a proponent of this technique. Last year, his food forest farm survived a cyclone attack because of the trees he planted along its boundaries. “Border trees are important,” he explains, “but farmers are cutting them down. Everyone should plant trees on the border.”

‍

Demo farmer Ramaji Bhemaji Parmar invented an innovative solution to combat the wild animals destroying his crops. Ramaji, whose family home can be found along the field boundaries, ties a tin can with a large stone by its side onto a tree branch. He then attaches some string and galvanised wire onto the can, so that he is able to connect it to his house. 

‍

At night, he and his family members pull the string at different intervals, causing the stone to rattle and create a loud noise. This scares away the animals in the area, allowing Ramaji to protect his crops. This DIY solution is a strong example of “jugaad”, as Ramaji uses only recycled materials.

Location: Aravalli, Gujarat

“Living fences” are an age-old technique used amongst Indian farmers, helping to prevent wild animals from entering the field area. Our farmers have built some living fences using Indian Spurgetree, a thorny cactus-like plant, which is propagated by planting its cuttings directly into the soil. 

‍

This plant also attracts small birds, reptiles, mammals, insects, snakes, hedgehogs and many more creatures, creating a hotspot for biodiversity. Insects such as spiders are particularly useful on living fences, as they build webs which further prevent pest attacks. 

‍

Back in 2017, our Head of Environmental Ethics Kuldeep Khatri planted a jamun tree in Gujarat, near the farmers we now work with. This variety was developed at the Central Horticulture Experiment Station, and tastes sweeter than other jamun. It is also less likely to leave a deep violet stain on the hands. “Everyone who tastes it, likes it!” says Kuldeep, a claim thoroughly backed by our Ahmedabad-team.

‍

Fun fact: Jamun is mentioned in the ancient Indian fable collection, the Panchatantra, as early as the 3rd century BCE. The tale involves a monkey tricked by its friend, a crocodile, whose wife wishes to eat its heart. As the crocodile brought the monkey to the river, the latter realised his scheme and misled the crocodile into believing that its heart was on top of a jamun tree. When the two returned to the shore, the monkey scaled the tree and confronted the crocodile for its stupidity, parting ways for good. 

On a recent trip to see a regenerative farmer, our Head of Environmental Ethics Kuldeep Khatri spotted a tailor bird’s nest hidden among some plants. Since this farm was free of harmful chemicals, the bird felt that it was safe enough to build a nest and lay eggs near the crops. Interestingly, the bird stitched together a few cotton plant leaves instead of twigs alone to construct its home.

‍

When the farmer discovered the creature on his fields, he made sure not to disturb it. This nest highlights our farmers' ability to maintain harmony with neighbouring species, as well as the resourcefulness and intelligence of bird species.

‍

Sorghum is a versatile crop cultivated for its grain, commonly used as animal feed or biofuel. In order to feed the birds in his fields, one of our farmers has opted to use a whole panicle that is already curved, making it easier to hang up as opposed to filling an entire bowl with sorghum. 

‍

He cuts the cluster straight from the plant, and attaches it directly onto a high tree branch. This makes the grains more accessible for the birds, encouraging them to gather around and control pests.

‍

Our Master Farmer Ravaji Thakor invented his own take on mulching by using sesbania stalks which he grew himself. When Ravaji and his farm labourers sow cotton seeds, he simultaneously sows sesbania. Once it reaches a height of approximately 30 cm, he plucks it out and uses it as a mulch. 

‍

This provides soil cover and nitrogen for the cotton plant, in addition to enhanced soil fertility. Sesbania stalks are also preferred over plastic mulches, which are not biodegradable, as well as wood mulches which may contain compounds harmful to plants. 

‍

These eggs belong to a black winged stilt, found by a harvesting pond along the edge of Materra Biome 1. Since it is prohibited within the area to let animals graze there or for people to carry out construction, nature is able to grow and thrive with minimal external interference. 

‍

Our Head of Environmental Ethics Kuldeep Khatri snapped this photo back in June 2024, when he also spotted some Indian Peafowls nesting nearby. This pond provides food for many wetland birds, including red wattled lapwings, knob-billed ducks and sandpipers.

Our regenerative cotton farmer Yogendra Patel planted several fruit trees, including mango and papaya, in the middle of his farm. Their purpose is to enhance the health of the soil, whilst also contributing to the biodiversity of his fields. “The plant’s roots will penetrate into the soil, making it free of disease,” he explains. “It will also invite insects and birds who will destroy any pests”.

Location: Gujarat