First Fruiting of Amla:
There’s a unique joy that fills the heart when you witness the first fruiting of a tree you’ve nurtured with love and care. Today, that joy is ours to experience with the first fruiting of Amla (Indian gooseberry) on our 1-acre Subhash Palekar Natural Farming (SPNF) model, designed around the 36×36 method. The Amla tree, placed at the center of this model, has finally gifted us its first fruits, marking a major milestone in our farming journey.
The Amla Tree in the 36×36 Model:
In the 36×36 model, every plant and tree has a role to play, and Amla takes a special place at the center. We chose Amla for its numerous benefits, not only for its nutritious fruit but also for its suitability in natural farming. Amla’s small leaves and non-invasive nature ensure that it doesn’t cast much shade, allowing plenty of sunlight to reach the surrounding plants. This makes it an ideal centerpiece for our model, as it creates a balanced micro-environment without overshadowing other crops.
We planted this Amla tree in 2020, during the early stages of developing our Subhash Palekar Natural Farming model. At that time, it was just a small sapling, fragile yet full of potential. Watching it grow and thrive over the years has been an exciting process, but the anticipation of its first fruiting was the most thrilling part. And now, in 2024, the wait is finally over.
The Long-Awaited Moment:
Farming teaches you patience, and our journey with this Amla tree has been a testament to that. As with many fruit-bearing trees, it takes time for the Amla to mature enough to produce fruit. For us, the waiting period stretched over four long years. Each season, we inspected the tree, hoping to see the first sign of fruit, only to realize that we had to wait a little longer.
But when you finally get what you’ve been waiting for, the reward feels even sweeter. This year, as I walked past the Amla tree, I noticed something different. There, hanging delicately from its branches, were the first small, green fruits. It was a simple yet profound moment, one that brought a wave of happiness. These fruits symbolize not just the growth of a tree, but the growth of our farm, our commitment to natural farming, and the realization of our efforts.
A Symbol of Patience and Persistence:
The first fruiting of our Amla tree is more than just an agricultural achievement. It is a symbol of patience and persistence, both essential virtues for anyone involved in farming. Every farmer knows that success doesn’t come overnight. You plant a seed, tend to it, protect it from the elements, and wait. And while the waiting can sometimes feel endless, the results are always worth it.
For us, this Amla tree has become a symbol of hope. It represents the fruits of our labor, quite literally. The joy of seeing these first fruits is indescribable, and it fills us with a sense of pride and accomplishment. After years of nurturing the tree, dealing with challenges like weather fluctuations, and staying true to our natural farming principles, we now have tangible proof that we’re on the right path.
The Subhash Palekar Model: A Sustainable Approach
Our 1-acre farm follows the Subhash Palekar Natural Farming model, which emphasizes sustainable, chemical-free farming. The model is based on the principles of zero-budget natural farming (ZBNF), where farmers use locally sourced materials to nourish the soil and plants without relying on synthetic inputs.
The 36×36 model, in particular, is an efficient planting arrangement that allows for diverse crops to coexist harmoniously. By placing trees like Amla at the center, surrounded by complementary plants, we create a thriving ecosystem where each plant supports the others. The Amla tree’s small, feathery leaves allow sunlight to filter through to the surrounding crops, ensuring that they all receive the energy they need to grow.
A Vision Realized:
The first Amla fruits remind us of why we embarked on this journey in the first place. Natural farming isn’t just about growing crops—it’s about building a relationship with the land, understanding the cycles of nature, and nurturing life in its most organic form.
This fruiting is just the beginning. We know that as the tree continues to grow, it will yield even more fruits in the coming years. And with each harvest, we will be reminded of the joy and fulfillment that comes from working in harmony with nature.
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Looking to the Future:
As we celebrate the first fruiting of our Amla tree, we also look forward to the future of our farm. This moment has reignited our passion and determination to continue building a sustainable, productive farm based on the Subash Palekar model. We are excited to see what the coming years will bring, not just for the Amla tree but for the entire farm.
The first fruits are a promise of more to come, and we can’t wait to share the bounty with our community.