Robusta coffee berries ripening in the coffee forests of Poomaale Collective

Robusta coffee plant gets its name from the fact that it is a more resilient coffee variety. It can withstand extreme climatic conditions and resist external stresses. It is robust! 

Arabica and Robusta coffee plants are different in this very sense. Though arabica coffee is more popular worldwide due to its flavour notes, the arabica coffee plant is very delicate and needs a lot of care. This adds to the already high cost of arabica coffee. Robusta coffee plants are stronger and can hold their ground on their own with minimal external care. 

But even the most robust of species in nature are prone to attacks, especially when they’re grown with minimal intervention and into the wild. Wild forest-friendly coffee can be grown sustainably. Though minimal, intervention at the right places at the right time is the key. This includes the natural methods by which pests of robusta coffee plants can be managed without causing harm to them and the environment. 

5 Major Pests of Robusta Coffee Plants

1. Coffee Cherry Borer

Coffee berry borers are one of the most damaging pests affecting coffee plants, including Robusta coffee plants. These small beetles can lay their eggs inside the coffee cherries, and the resulting larvae feed on the coffee beans inside. This feeding activity can cause significant damage to the beans, reducing both quality and yield.

In Robusta coffee plants, coffee berry borers can cause damage to the fruit, leading to reduced bean size and quality. The coffee beans may also become discoloured, which can reduce their value. In severe infestations, the coffee cherries may drop prematurely from the tree, leading to reduced yield.

2. Shoot Stem Borer

Shoot stem borers are insects that can cause damage to the stems and shoots of Robusta coffee plants, leading to reduced growth and yield. These borers, which are the larvae of moths, tunnel into the stems and shoots of the plant and feed on the inner tissue, causing damage to the vascular system of the plant.

The damage caused by shoot stem borers can weaken the coffee plant, making it more susceptible to other pests and diseases. In severe infestations, the stems and shoots of the coffee plant may become distorted or die back, leading to reduced yield and quality.

3. Mealybugs

Mealybugs are small, soft-bodied insects that can cause damage to Robusta coffee plants. They feed by sucking sap from the plant’s leaves, stems, and cherries, which can weaken the plant and reduce its growth and yield.

The feeding activity of mealybugs can cause the leaves of Robusta coffee plants to turn yellow and curl up, and the plant may become stunted. Mealybugs can also excrete honeydew, a sweet, sticky substance that can attract ants and other pests to the coffee plant. In addition, the honeydew can promote the growth of sooty mould, which can cover the leaves and cherries of the plant, reducing photosynthesis and causing further damage.

4. Ants

One of the main ways in which ants can affect robusta coffee plants is by protecting and farming other pests, such as aphids, mealybugs, and scale insects, which can feed on the coffee plant and cause damage. Ants are attracted to the sweet, sticky secretions that these pests produce, and this will protect them from predators and parasites.

Ants can also cause damage to Robusta coffee plants directly. They may tunnel into the soil around the roots of the plant, causing damage to the root system and reducing the plant’s ability to absorb water and nutrients. Ants may also build nests on the coffee plant, which can lead to physical damage to the plant’s branches and leaves.

5. Root-knot nematodes

Root-knot nematodes are microscopic worms that can cause damage to the roots of Robusta coffee plants. These nematodes enter the roots of the plant and feed on the cells, causing the roots to become swollen and knotted. This can lead to reduced growth and yield of the plant, as well as increased susceptibility to other pests and diseases.

The damage caused by root-knot nematodes can also lead to secondary infections by other pathogens. The nematodes create entry points for other soil-borne pathogens, such as fungi and bacteria, to enter the plant and cause additional damage.

Natural Pest Control Methods for Robusta Coffee Plants

The best way to manage a coffee forest is by doing your job and letting nature do its own for the most part. A coffee forest ecosystem is full of pests that can damage your crop, but it is also full of predators, natural enemies of these pests. ‘Beneficial bugs’ like ladybugs, lacewings, parasitic wasps, millipede assassin bugs, etc feed on aphids and mealybugs. Intercropping coffee with other plants, such as legumes or herbs, can help attract beneficial insects and repel pests. Rotating coffee crops with non-host crops can help reduce pest populations by interrupting their life cycle and reducing their food source.

Birds play a major role in natural pest management in a coffee forest. Firstly, they’re naturally attracted to the ripening coffee berries and feed end up feeding on its pulp. During this, they also feed on the pests that are harming the coffee berries. Birds eat the berries too, but it does more good than harm as they help in dispersing the seeds across and help the coffee forest expand naturally. Birds and trees/plants share a mutually beneficial relationship.

Another important creature in the pest management cycle of a coffee forest is the snake.

The presence of snakes reveals a lot about the health of a coffee plantation/forest. As coffee is a shade-grown crop, coffee plantations become a natural home to snakes as the sunlight-to-shade ratio is ideal for regulating their body temperature. Snakes prey on several creatures in a coffee forest, including many of the pests that harm the coffee plant, thereby keeping the pest population in check.

Planting certain plants alongside Robusta coffee plants can help repel pests and attract beneficial insects. For example, planting marigolds can help repel nematodes, while planting mint can help repel aphids. Polycultural practices like these not only help in managing pests but also improve the biodiversity of the coffee forest.

Robusta coffee grows wild at our Poomaale Estate in Coorg. It grows under a forest canopy of the Western Ghats and is supported by the wetland ecosystems as well as the rich biodiversity. The coffee growth relies on monsoon alone and manual maintenance. Despite minimal inputs, we received an abundant robusta harvest this spring, which only goes to show that adapting to natural processes and cycles is a sustainable and healthy way of growing what we consume.

Kashi tomatoes, a native tomato variety growing at the Food Production Zone of the Hyderabad Farming Collective. 

Tomatoes. 

Some call them fruits, some call them vegetables.

Some grow it at their homes, while some like to buy them from their local vendors.

Some only need a few drops of its juice, while some can’t get enough of it.

Some like them raw and some like them cooked.

Well, no matter what you call it or how you like it, it sure is a versatile ingredient that can accommodate the tastes, textures and flavours from across the world – from the good old rasam to gourmet pasta and pizza sauces. As much as humans love these juicy fruits, some other creatures (whom we call pests) love them too! But sometimes, these pests can take over the whole vegetable garden or farm and damage the entire tomato plants, depriving us of our share. 

But is there a way to manage them without causing them any harm? Let’s find out.

8 Major Pests of Tomato Plants

1. Tomato Leaf Miner

Tomato leaf miners are the larvae of a small fly that burrow into the leaves of tomato plants, creating tunnels as they feed on the tissue inside. This damage can reduce the tomato plant’s ability to photosynthesise, weakening the plant and reducing its yield. Additionally, the tunnels created by tomato leaf miners can provide entry points for pathogens, increasing the risk of disease in the plant. 

Leaf miners, as a broader group of pests, attack many other veggies and are also one of the major pests of leafy vegetables.

2. Aphids

Tomato aphids, also known as green peach aphids, are small, soft-bodied insects that feed on the sap of tomato plants. They are usually green in colour and are commonly found in clusters on the undersides of tomato leaves. Tomato aphids can reproduce quickly and cause significant damage to tomato plants if left untreated.

3. Spider mites

Tomato mites refer to the several species of mites that can infest tomato plants, including spider mites, two-spotted mites, and broad mites. These mites are tiny, spider-like pests that feed on the sap of tomato plants, causing yellowing, stippling, and leaf drop. They take shelter under the tomato leaves to hide from predators. Being anthropods, they are territorial and are likely to complete their entire lifecycle on the host plant, in this case, the tomato plant.

4. Whiteflies

Whiteflies on tomato plants are small insect species found in tropical regions. They have small yellow bodies and flat white wings, and can reproduce rapidly. Some sub-species of whiteflies are particularly fond of tomato plants and feed on the sap of fresh leaves. As a result, the leaves start yellowing and folding, eventually dropping off. These small tomato insects can even transmit viruses from one plant to another, which can be fatal to the infected plant.

5. Tomato Hornworms

Tomato hornworms are large moth caterpillars that feed on tomato leaves and fruit. They can be identified by the distinct ‘horns’ at the end of their tail from which they get their name. If left untreated, they can damage the whole tomato plant from stem to fruit.

6. Cutworms

Cutworms are known to cut through the stems of young tomato plants near or below the soil surface, causing the plants to wilt and eventually die. They feed on the stem of the tomato plant at the base, cutting off the water and nutrient supply to the rest of the plant. Cutworms can be particularly destructive to young tomato seedlings, but established plants can also be damaged if the cutworms attack the stems.

Cutworms spotted on tomato plants growing at the Food Production Zone of the Hyderabad Farming Collective.

7. Fruitflies

We have all seen fruit flies hovering over juicy ripe fruits in markets or sometimes in our own homes. These tiny yellow, brownish-black flies come to gardens or farms when the fruit is at its ripening stage. Naturally, ripening bright tomatoes are an instant attraction for tomato fruitflies. These can be more annoying than damaging in a tomato garden and appear in large amounts where the fruits are overripe or rotting.

8. Slugs & Snails

Slugs and snails are common pests of tomato plants. They feed not just on the stems and leaves but also on the fruit. If uncontrolled, their population can take over the entire garden/farm and eat up the entire produce before it is even fit for harvest.

Natural Pest Control Methods for Tomato Plants

Chemical pesticides can get rid of pests, true. But they also harm the soil and the natural ecosystem of plants, leading to more inputs from the farmer/gardener over time. And what’s more, excessive use of pesticides can make pests adapt to them and eventually grow resilient, leading to even more pesticide use. The process does not stop until the inputs to the soil become overbearing and the soil becomes incapable of supporting the plants. Therefore, resorting to natural pest management methods is the key to growing healthy plants without harming the environment or its creatures – a win-win for you and nature.

Some natural ways to repel pests on tomato plants are:

Biological Control

Biological pest management means introducing natural enemies of the pest to the plant ecosystem and letting the food chain do its work. In most cases, we don’t even need to ‘introduce’ the pests. Predators are naturally drawn to the localities of their prey. And once they arrive, the predator-prey cycle sets in. In newly planted crops or veggies, it might take a little while for the cycles to set in, but a little patience goes a long way. Numerous birds, ducks and hens feed on small bugs, caterpillars, worms, snails and slugs, while also fertilising the soil with their droppings.

Use of Natural Sprays

Natural sprays used in pest management include neem oil, insecticidal soap, garlic spray, and chilli pepper spray. These sprays are made from natural ingredients and can effectively control pests without harmful chemicals. Natural sprays also help while taking precautions when the plants are prone to attacks. For example, at the Hyderabad Farming Collective, many crops were damaged during a recent hail storm. Some bigger plants like tomatoes and brinjals survived, but they were weak and prone to pests. So the farm team used precautionary sprays like jeevamrut and neem oil to protect them from pests.

Planting Pest Repellant Species

Natural pest-repellant species like Citronella near your plants can avoid pests. Citrus plants and trees are especially helpful in repelling spider mites as spiders choose hosts which are not in the vicinity of citrus crops due to their strong smell. It is important to find out what kinds of smells repel the pests and adapt them to your polycultures.

Maintenance and Physical Barriers

Regular maintenance of veggie patches is essential as many bugs, caterpillars and worms like to crawl under leaf litter to hide from predators or external forces like wind or water. Prune your plants regularly and clear the grounds just enough to avoid crawling caterpillars is essential. However, if you wish to keep the leaf litter to retain soil moisture, you can provide physical barriers around your plants with cardboard boxes.

These natural methods of pest control of tomato plants may not work in some cases, especially when the number of pests is high, which could lead to entire crop damage. But with each season and each cycle, we learn more about our plants, their pest friends and the ecosystems supporting them. Therefore, even though you could face some loss of yield in the initial stages, natural pest management methods are more sustainable in the long run.

A bug hiding in the heart of a lettuce plant growing at the Food Production Zone of the Hyderabad Farming Collective. The structure of a lettuce plant gives pests an opportunity to go unnoticed and eat the leaves from within.

Leaves are the food factories of a tree and the building blocks of a forest. It comes in different shapes, sizes, colours, tastes and smells, each used for different purposes. Some have medicinal values like the neem leaf. Some add spice to life like the bay leaf. And some can be enjoyed raw as the topping of a nutritious salad bowl! These leafy vegetables are packed with vitamins and minerals, bringing balance to your diet. 

However, we humans are not the only ones who relish these vegetables. Some insects, whom we call ‘pests’, are equally fond of leafy vegetables to fulfil their own lifecycles. They feed on the leaves of certain vegetables to a point where entire veggies patches are gobbled up. But is there a way to manage these pests without harming them with toxic chemical pesticides? Let’s find out!

5 Major Pests of Leafy Vegetables

1. Leaf Miners

Leaf miners can attack various vegetable crops, including leafy greens such as spinach, lettuce, and chard, as well as cole crops such as broccoli, cauliflower, and cabbage. They can also affect crops like tomatoes, beans and peas. Essentially, any crop with leaves can be vulnerable to leaf miner infestations. It’s essential to monitor your crops regularly and take action if you notice signs of leaf miner damage, such as the characteristic trails they leave behind on the leaves.

2. Caterpillars, Slugs and Snails

They are the common creepy crawlies found in many gardens and farms. Caterpillars, snails and slugs feed on leafy vegetables like lettuce, spinach, cabbage, cauliflowers, etc, but also feed on the leaves of other plants like tomatoes, peas, beans, and more. Some even eat up the fruit. The leaves of some root vegetables are also feasting grounds for them, as they’re the only visible part of the vegetable plant. 

3. Aphids

Aphids are small, soft-bodied insects that feed on the sap of plants. They are commonly found on a wide range of plants, including vegetables, fruits, and ornamental plants. Aphids are typically pear-shaped and range in colour from green, yellow, brown, to black, and can be winged or wingless. They have long, slender mouthparts that they use to pierce the plant tissue and suck out the sap.

4. Whiteflies

Whiteflies can cause significant damage to leafy vegetables. They feed on the sap of the plant, which can cause the leaves to turn yellow and wilt. Severe infestations can cause the leaves to fall off prematurely, which can reduce the overall health and productivity of the plant. Whiteflies also secrete a sticky substance called honeydew, which can coat the leaves and provide a medium for the growth of sooty mould. Sooty mould can further reduce the photosynthetic ability of the plant by blocking sunlight from reaching the leaves.

5. Flea beetles

Flea beetles can cause significant damage to leafy vegetables by feeding on the surface tissue of leaves. They leave small, round holes in the leaves, which can make them look unsightly and reduce their ability to photosynthesize effectively. In severe infestations, flea beetles can completely defoliate a plant, which can significantly reduce its yield and overall health. Flea beetles can also transmit diseases, such as bacterial wilt, to leafy vegetables. This can cause the plant to wilt and die, reducing its productivity.

Natural Pest Control Methods for Leafy Vegetables

The most effective way to control caterpillars, slugs, snails and similar bugs is to let the food chain play out. A variety of birds feed on these critters, including ducks and hens, which additionally help in fertilising the soil from their droppings. Furthermore, birds who visit your vegetable patch help in pollination, allowing your plants to reproduce. 

Maintenance of your veggie beds is also an important pest management method. Ensure regular pruning of your veggies posts harvests as a lot of insects and bugs crawl onto the plant from the ground level. Caterpillars, slugs and snails also like to hide under fallen leaves and debris. So a timely cleaning of your veggie patch surroundings will help control the pest attacks on your plants. 

Natural sprays such as neem oil sprays have insecticidal properties as well as a strong smell that repels many insects. It is effective in controlling leaf miner growth, aphids, whiteflies and bugs, some of which are also major pests of tomato plants.

Natural pest control methods typically use ingredients that are safe for humans and the environment, reducing the risk of exposure to harmful chemicals. Unlike chemical pesticides, natural pest control methods often target specific pests, leaving beneficial insects unharmed. This helps preserve the natural balance of ecosystems and can even promote biodiversity. Furthermore, they’re sustainable in the long run and can help reduce the development of pesticide resistance in pest populations and promote a healthier environment for future generations.

A view of the paddy field at the Hyderabad Farming Collective where the farm staff can be seen bundling and adding stick support to the fallen paddy stalk post heavy rain. 

Rice fields, or paddy fields, are undoubtedly one of the most significant field crops in India. It is a staple food for almost half of the world’s population, with people depending on it for their livelihood. Beyond its economic value, the crop holds great cultural significance – from its occurrence in mythological stories to its presence in almost every Indian festival! Over millennia, thousands of rice varieties have been grown in and developed in India – a mark of our connection with this simple source of energy and the land it grows in.

Rice fields are of great ecological importance too! Rice is nothing but a type of grass. Grasslands are known to host diverse wildlife and act as carbon sinks, keeping the air clean while also supporting the process of ecological succession of a food forest. Paddy fields also help in maintaining rural landscapes and increasing their value over time. However, these rich crops are prone to many pest attacks. How you deal with them can make or break your paddy field ecosystem. Eco-sensitive approach to pest management in a rice field can in turn bring opportunities for animals, birds and insects to come in and around your paddy fields. This not only increases the biodiversity of your micro-landscape but also helps your field to grow healthy and yield well.

Let’s understand which pests affect paddy fields and how can they be controlled naturally.

8 Major Pests in Paddy Fields 

It takes 120 days on average for rice to grow after sowing. Various parts of a rice plant are prone to different kinds of pests depending on their lifecycle needs. Some like to bore into the stem and take shelter, some like to much on leaves, and some like to feast on the grain. This can lead to damage to crops and a decrease in yield. In addition, some pests also have ‘peak’ seasons during which their attacks are dramatically more than the rest of the year. So understanding the ecosystems of each pest can help you figure out the best natural control method for your farm.

1. Rice Stem Borers

Stem borers, make up a predominant group of insect pests in all rice-growing countries. Variations in stem borers can be seen across different geographical regions in India; yellow stem borers, white stem borers, dark-headed borers, and pink borers, to name a few. Their common name is derived from the fact that the larvae of these creatures quite literally ‘bore’ into the stem of the rice plant, slowly consuming the inner tissues and living in the hollows created. Their uncontrolled growth in a rice field can stunt the growth of plants, produce fewer grains and in extreme cases can completely damage the crop.

2. Lead Folders

The larvae of leaf folders produce a sticky substance to tie the rice leaves together and form a safe space for them to live in. While it does not physically damage the leaf, it prevents sunlight from reaching the entire leaf, thereby reducing its photosynthetic capacity. The consequent wilting and yellowing hinder the growth of the rice plant. 

3. Rice Bugs

With several species of rice, come several species of rice bugs, including rice stink bugs and rice ear bugs. These critters are ready to munch on the freshly-forming grain. Their feast, however, comes at a huge cost to the farmer. 

4. Gall Midges

Gall midge larvae form galls, or abnormal growths, on the rice plant. These abnormal growths stop the nutrients from reaching the entire plant, making it weak and unfit for growth.

5. Plant Hoppers

Plant hoppers feed on the sap of the rice plant and suck out the nutrients from it. This feeding can cause direct damage to the plant, as well as transmit viruses and diseases.

6. Mealybugs

These tiny mealy bugs feed on the plant tissues for nourishment, causing yellowing and wilting of leaves, as well as stunting of the plant.

7. Weevils

Rice weevils are a type of beetle that can infest stored rice grains, causing damage and reducing the quality of the grain. The adult weevils lay eggs in the grain, and the larvae feed on the inner tissues, creating tunnels and causing the grain to become discoloured and shrivelled. Rice weevils can be controlled through proper storage and handling of rice, such as keeping it cool and dry, and using fumigation or other pest control methods as needed.

8. Rats

A common rodent pest that often causes trouble in a rice field, rats feed on the grain and seed of the rice plant, resulting in reduced yield. Even beyond a rice field, rats can damage irrigation systems and cause long-term damage to paddy fields.

Natural Pest Control Methods in a Paddy Field

Using chemical pesticides not only harms them directly but also harms the soil in which our food grows. The more the use of chemical pesticides, the more human input.

We believe every creature has a role to play in the larger picture, and though these pests come with trouble to your crop, they have a purpose to fulfil too. Therefore, understanding them and their own little ecosystem can help us formulate natural ways of diverting them from our fields so that they can play their rightful role in the larger web of life. Each creature is associated with many others, in multiple ways. So the presence of a pest can bring some important creatures along, which can indirectly help the growth of your field.

1. Cultural practices

Crop rotation –  where different crops are planted in a sequence on the same land, usually over several growing seasons.

Intercropping – where two or more crops are grown together in the same field. For example, farmers may plant rice and legumes, such as beans or peas, together in the same field.

Planting early-maturing varieties or resilient varieties – Research institutes such as Central Rice Research Institute work towards developing improved rice varieties which are pest resistant.

A combination of the above practices can help reduce the population of rice stem borers in a paddy field. These practices can disrupt the pest’s life cycle and make it difficult for them to find suitable hosts.

2. Biological Control 

Parasitic wasps, predatory insects and birds are natural enemies of stem borers and keep the borer and bug population in check. Introducing these natural enemies into the paddy field, or allowing them to come in naturally by growing plants or trees that attract them, can be an effective method of biological control. In addition, these natural enemies help the environment by pollination and seed dispersal. The presence of snakes also helps to keep rodents and other pests in check.

3. Traps

Pheromone traps can be used to attract and trap male pests, preventing them from mating and laying eggs, thereby curbing their population growth. Once trapped, they can be released at a place far from the paddy field.

4. Natural Sprays

Jeevamrut (a spray prepared from cow urine, cow dung, water, besan and jaggery) and Neem oil (derived from the neem tree) are the most common natural sprays used to control pests in a paddy field. They have insecticidal properties and strong smells that can repel pests and reduce their feeding. 

5. Organic Rice Growing Methods

One of the most effective methods of organic rice control is the System of Rice Intensification which is based on a combination of principles for healthy growth and integrated pest management. We are currently experimenting with this method at our Hyderabad Farming Collective. 

It’s important to note that natural pest control methods may not provide complete protection against rice stem borers, especially in cases of severe infestations. Therefore, in the initial stages, you may lose some of your crops to pests, but as seasons pass, the predator and prey cycle sets in and you get a better understanding of your paddy field ecosystem, you can adapt to natural pest control methods so that you can grow to get your fair share of the crop without harming the ‘pests’ that crawl into your fields. Your farm flourishes if the natural environment around it does.

A man-made lake designed at a strategic location at the Hyderabad Farming Collective. 

India is a land where nature is worshipped and tradition is a testament to it. We have festivals dedicated to harvesting seasons, rich rivers that are more than sacred, tribes and communities living off and for the dense forests, and folk tales passed on under the shade of generational trees. These traditions not only remind us of our cultural values but also come with solutions for modern problems, only if we look close enough.

A Free Resource with Great Value

Water is essential for life. But it is also a free natural resource, and just like anything that comes for free, the value of water also seems to have faltered over the years. It is true that over 70% of the earth is covered with water, but only 3% of this water is fresh and merely 1% of it is drinkable, with the remaining being present in ice caps, glaciers and groundwater. Perhaps this will give us an idea about how scarce the most abundantly available natural resource actually is!

Our ancestors understood the value every drop of water held and devised systems to conserve and restore it as much as possible. These traditional water management systems may just be the solution to the modern water crisis. From the historical step wells to kunds, to talabs – these water management systems are a testament to timeless architecture, built to foster an environment of well-being. 

Let us understand in what ways they can help us today.

1. Rainwater Harvesting

Rainwater harvesting helps to conserve water resources, reduce dependence on groundwater, and provide a sustainable source of water for various purposes such as irrigation, drinking, and sanitation, especially in areas facing water scarcity and drought. Traditional water harvesting systems seen in Rajasthan like khadins, johads, talabs, and bandhs are designed to capture rainwater and store it for later use. 

We have all studied the importance of rainwater harvesting since childhood, but implementing it in our own houses can be challenging due to the limited space available in cities and towns. With the increasing water scarcity in many parts of India, rainwater harvesting needs to be adopted at all levels – from a household level by filling up overhead tanks, to a city level by creating artificial lakes at suitable locations in and around the region of use.

2. Groundwater Recharge

Groundwater is an important water source for many in the country, especially where water levels are high. Many traditional water harvesting systems are designed to recharge groundwater by allowing rainwater to percolate into the soil. However, in the concrete jungles we live in, most of the rainwater is run off (if not stored), due to the concrete and tar ground covers. And the results are already showing with the major cities of India out of water. So, it becomes all the more important to bring back the groundwater levels and keep recharging it to sustain in the long run. 

Recharge wells, percolation tanks and check dams play a major role in groundwater restoration. Recharge wells (or bore wells) are nothing but long, deep shafts with water in it. Found in many rural areas today, it’s time they make a comeback to cities as well. Check dams built across smaller rivers/river streams can help slow down the water flow and allow water to permeate into the soil. Percolation tanks are surface water bodies made on highly permeable soils to allow water to get collected and eventually seep through. Groundwater recharge is a sustainable way of replenishing aquifers and can help address the problem of declining groundwater levels. 

One of the 54 check dams built across 132 acres of the Hyderabad Farming Collective.

3. Community-based Water Management

Traditional water management systems in India have always been community-based. A borewell shared by a street, a stepwell shared by a village and a river used by entire civilisations! The sense of accountability lay with the locals and the responsibility of maintenance and upkeep of the system – a collective effort. The principle is very simple – when a resource is to be used by all, it is to be respected and kept safe by all.

Collective activities have always been successful in bringing transformation. It is nothing different when it comes to water management. Several organisations have formed committees that are actively involved in saving and managing water, and when many hands clap together, the voice reverberates across. One such impactful project is Biome Environmental Trust’s Million Wells Project – with a community of experts and locals on a mission to revive 1 million wells in the city of Bengaluru. 

Such approaches can be used to promote greater community involvement in modern water management systems and to build more sustainable, locally-led water management practices. This is what we also aim to do at our forest-friendly Beforest Collectives while integrating other water management principles. 

A 100-year-old well at the Hyderabad Farming Collective; used and kept alive by the villagers of Bodakonda.

4. Nature-based Solutions

Many traditional water management systems are based on natural features like rivers, streams, and wetlands. Effective water management starts with the efficient use of the natural element itself. With rivers thinning and lakes getting polluted day by day, protecting natural ecosystems that provide vital water resources becomes key. It comes with a culture of respect for water and the earth.

How do Traditional Water Management Systems Help us?

Applying traditional knowledge with modern technology can help us 

• Mitigate droughts
• Cope with climate change
• Be prepared for extreme weather conditions
• Replenish the natural environment
• Bring economic stability to water-dependent occupations like farming
• Build a sense of community
• Inculcate values of people care, earth care and fair share

What Factors Determine the Adoption of a Water Management Strategy?

1. Availability of Water Resources

The availability of water resources in a particular region is a crucial factor that determines the water management strategy to be adopted. Areas with abundant water resources may require different management strategies than those with limited water resources. Riverside civilisation may need to work on flood management while landlocked regions may need to build canals to channel water and store it through artificial ponds/lakes.

A man-made pond irrigating the veggie beds at the Food Production Zone of the Hyderabad Farming Collective.

2. Water Demand

The water demand in a particular region is another important factor that influences the water management strategy. Areas with high water demand, such as urban areas or agricultural regions, may require different management strategies than areas with low water demand. Urban areas may require harnessing rainwater and recharge groundwater, while farmlands may need a combination of both as well as use systems such as drip irrigation systems to use water efficiently in a field.

3. Climate

The climate of a region is an important factor that determines the water management strategy. Areas with high rainfall may require different management strategies than those with low rainfall or those prone to droughts. For example, the dry and hilly terrain of the Hyderabad Farming Collective needs water management strategies which harness as much water as possible from every natural resource. But the Poomaale Collective which is located in the rich rainforests of the Western Ghats would need to channel excess rainwater in a sensitive manner. 

4. Topography

Water flows if there is a slope. Therefore, the topography of a region, including factors such as elevation, soil type, and slope, can influence the water management strategy. Areas with steep slopes may require different management strategies than those with gentle slopes. Hilly areas like Hyderabad Farming Collective have little to no rivers flowing through them. Rainwater harvesting and groundwater recharge are the most suitable water management methods. Building recharge wells, check dams, manmade ponds and lakes work best for these kinds of terrains.

Overall, the water management strategy adopted must take into account a range of factors, including the availability of water resources, water demand, climate, topography, socioeconomic factors, etc in order to ensure sustainable and equitable management of water resources for both people and the environment.

Here, traditional water management systems of India offer valuable insights into how we can address the modern water crisis. By reviving and adapting these systems, we can build more sustainable and resilient water management practices that meet the needs of both people and the environment.

The paddy field at Beforest’s Hyderabad Farming Collective

The System of Rice Intensification (SRI) is a farming methodology that uses a subset of practices aimed at improving the yield of rice produced in farming. It is a low-water, labour-intensive method that uses younger seedlings singly spaced and typically hand-weeded with special tools. It involves timely weeding in small plots (often less than one acre), transplanting one seedling per hill, carefully managing water saturation levels and maintaining low plant density. This method has been shown to significantly increase yields per acre while reducing the amount of water, labor and expense required to produce the crop.

SRI Method of Rice Cultivation is Characterised by

• Cultivation of rice with as much organic manure as possible. 
• Planting young at a wider spacing, in a square pattern. 
• Intermittent irrigation keep to keep the soil moist but not over-watered 
• Frequent inter-cultivation with a weeder to aerates the soil.

SRI method is not a standardised, fixed technological method. It is rather a set of ideas for comprehensively managing and conserving resources by changing the way that land, seeds, water, nutrients, and human labour are used to increase productivity from a small, but well-tended number of seeds. SRI is essentially an amalgamation of multiple beneficial practices.

Principles of SRI Method
SRI methodology is based on four main principles that interact with each other.

1. Quick and Healthy Plant Establishment

SRI Method of Rice Cultivation – Rice saplings ready to be transplanted into the paddy field

Plant establishment in SRI (System of Rice Intensification) method of rice cultivation is the process of establishing well-distributed, healthy and vigorous plants for a higher yield. The method involves transplanting single or minimum number of seedlings of 10-20 days old on well-prepared, weed-free nursery beds at a good amount of spacing in shallow water or dry soil using tools such as dibbling sticks and wooden bars. Proper irrigation and fertilizer management helps to sustain the plants till harvest.

2. Reduced Plant Density

Reduced plant density in SRI method is established by cultivating fewer plants per unit area. It allows the plants to take advantage of the interactions between themselves and their environments in order to promote higher yields, better quality, and increased water-use efficiency. The wider spacing also allows the plants to get more sunlight, increase root development and reduce disease and pest problems. By reducing the plant density, SRI farmers can increase the size of their crop without having to resort to chemical fertilizers and pesticides, thereby improving overall sustainability.

Transplanting rice saplings into the paddy field at the Hyderabad Farming Collective

3. Improving Soil Conditions

The SRI method of rice cultivation involves moist, well-aerated, nutrient-dense soil, with minimal water and minimal or no pesticides for maximum yield and quality. Healthy soil conditions in SRI method of rice cultivation include an active network of roots with an optimal growing pH between 5.0-7.0, good aeration, an abundance of organic matter, nitrogen and phosphorous, adequate drainage which keeps root systems from becoming waterlogged; and low numbers of pests and weeds.

4. Controlled Water Application

Controlled water application in the SRI method is done to reduce inputs. It involves careful and precise timing of water applications, and allowing the soil to dry out for a specific period of time before rewatering. This technique allows for better root growth, improved disease and weed control, and more efficient use of water and other inputs. This improved method of applying water has been found to be more productive and sustainable, leading to higher crop yields.

Experiment with the SRI Method of Rice Cultivation

The collectives of Beforest are full of ecological design experiments – from trying to improve soil health of the veggie beds by integrating lake soil, to improving the rice yield through the System of Rice Intensification.

SRI Method of Rice Cultivation – Experiment in progress at the Hyderabad Farming Collective 

Our ecological design team attended a Desi Rice Festival hosted by WASSAN, where they were introduced to one of the farmers who presented his story of switching to organic rice farming using the SRI method. They later visited his farm in Vikarabad, where he grows 46 varieties of desi rice through this method, for his own consumption and for saving seeds for selling. The farmer also visited our Hyderabad Farming Collective at Bodakonda to guide us through the process of growing rice.

Through this method, we are now trying 4 new desi rice varieties, plus raktashali as our main rice crop. This season we are also growing ragi with this method. Currently, our rice nurseries have been prepared, and the preparation of ghana jeevamrut has been done. The paddy fields have been ploughed and the rice saplings have been transplanted.

We are a few steps ahead in this multi-step process and hoping to see positive results to this experiment. To check out the progress on this experiment and more forest-fresh updates, visit our Instagram channel.

SRI Method of Rice Cultivation – Experiment at the Hyderabad Collective

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Sun rays making their way through the dense forest canopy of the Poomaale Esatate, Coorg

When a piece of land is left to itself and allowed to be taken over by the elements of nature, complex (but beautiful) ecosystems are formed. When it rains, the soil absorbs water and allows mosses to grow. Mosses welcome wild species that feed on them. Gradually grasses form, inviting more wildlife into the ecosystem. This increased wildlife helps in seed dispersal and pollination, allowing smaller trees, plants and shrubs to succeed grasslands. The cycle repeats and over time, the area is covered with a lush forest – where the interrelationships between the generations of trees, plants, animals, insects and microorganisms (both above and below ground) are unfathomable!

What is Ecological Succession and How Does it Begin?

The gradual change in the composition and structure of a natural ecosystem is called Ecological Succession. This succession begins when there is some kind of external stress on an ecosystem that promotes the growth of new populations while replacing the existing ones. The external stress, or the driving force, can include climate change, fires, landslides, floods, or droughts. However, the interactions between various species also play an important role. It is a slow, natural process and there is no predetermined course. The beauty of ecological succession lies in its element of surprise, complexity and unpredictability. 

Ecological succession begins when wild, hardy species, that are resilient to extreme conditions, take over an unvegetated environment and become the first generation in the process of rebuilding their kin – the forest. 

Pioneer, Intermediate & Climax Species

At each phase of ecological succession, certain kinds of species play key roles. Let’s look into what kinds of species enter the ecosystem during the process of succession.

Pioneer Species

Pioneer species are the first species to enter a new habitat and make it their home. These species are highly adaptable and have a high level of tolerance for change and disturbance. They play an important role in the process of ecological succession, by helping to create the conditions necessary for more complex species to thrive. Pioneer species often provide food and shelter for other species and create a diverse environment that is needed for the development of a new ecosystem. 

Some examples of common pioneer species include lichens, mosses, grasses, fungi and forbs.

Mosses and wildflowers growing in the wetlands of Western Ghats. Shot at the Poomaale Collective, Coorg.

Intermediate Species

Intermediate species enter the midpoint of an ecological successional sequence, playing a role in its progression. They are species that adjust to changing environmental conditions, can persist and reproduce in changing conditions, and may play a vital role in helping an area transition from one successional stage to the next. They can be keystone species or have other functional roles that assist in the process of ecological succession. In some cases, intermediate species may be important for providing a habitat for wildlife. In addition, intermediate species can facilitate the invasion of more advanced species. They can provide important resources for these later-arriving plants by increasing soil fertility or providing avenues of spread.

Some examples of international species include wildflowers, grasses, small trees like willows, birch, aspens, and adaptable mammals, amphibians, birds and reptiles.

Chestnut-headed beeaters perched on a branch at the Poomaale Estate, Coorg

Climax Species

As the name says, climax species are the final species to become established in ecological succession. In an area with a climax species, the pattern of species that occupy an area has reached its maximum development and stability. Climax species will spend the most time in a community, have extreme specialization in their niche, and have highly evolved populations that dictate the landscape. These species are usually long-lived and difficult to remove from an area, allowing whole communities to rely on them for the sustainability of their ecosystem.

The development of a climax community is the end of an ecosystem’s succession; a stable community of plants, animals and other organisms that is well-adapted to the environment and is resistant to harsh weather or disturbance. The end result is a dynamic, self-sustaining and ecologically stable ecosystem.  This stage allows species from all types of species to find a place in the ecosystem – from primary grasses and perennials to big, mature forest trees. 

Streamruby Damselfy (endemic to the Western Ghats) hovering over the Kembuva river in the Poomaale Collective, Coorg

Big trees like fig and banyan trees, mega animals like big cats and elephants and the presence of endemic species are indicators of the establishment of stable forest ecosystems. The great Western Ghats – A Hotspot for Biodiversity, located in peninsular India, exemplify stable forest ecosystems formed over millions of years of evolution. They have an extremely high concentration of endemic species – the purple frog, Indian dancing frog and the black pepper spice (considered to be the black gold of India) – to name a few.  

Types of Ecological Succession

1. Primary Succession

It starts from ground zero. Primary ecological succession occurs when newly exposed land or newly formed habitats, such as those formed by a retreating glacier, are taken over by pioneer species to kickstart the succession process.

2. Secondary Succession 

It is a rebirth of the ecosystem. Secondary ecological succession occurs when an existing community is disrupted, such as by a fire or the abandonment of land used for agriculture.

If a primary succession leads to the growth of the climax community, it is capable of staying in a state of equilibrium until a major disruption occurs. Secondary succession is the process of re-establishing the original landscape.

We at Beforest are fortunate to witness the various stages of ecological succession at our forest-friendly collectives. The Hyderabad Collective is teeming with pioneer species like the monsoon grasslands and several wildflowers and insects. The dry and rocky landscape which was deemed unfit for cultivation has now started to grow into a beautiful food forest where we harvest a diverse variety of vegetables every month. 

The Poomaale Collective, on the other hand, is already set amidst the dense forest ecosystem of the Western Ghats. Coffee, cardamom, fruits and vegetables are being grown in the area where elephants, big cats, and several endemic species live. We are excited to witness the transformation of our Collectives live the succession.

Monsoon grasslands acting as the pioneer species at the Hyderabad Collective.

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Sprouting veggie beds at the Poomaale Collective, Coorg

In our food-growing processes, we often forget that there is an entire world that is teeming with life below our feet. The health and vitality of our plants are determined not only by what we do above ground but equally, if not more, by what is going on below. The ‘Wood Wide Web’ as it is often called is the beautifully complex, interdependent network of soil life, mycelium, plant roots and other natural elements that are in a relationship with each other. Understanding and strengthening these relationships is an important part of creating resilient growing systems.

Soil is where our food begins. The key to building resilient, self-sufficient food-growing systems – food forests – is improving soil health. The health of our crops above ground directly depends on the health of the soil and its components underground. Soil is as much alive as we are. It breathes, it consumes, it grows (or rather propagates growth), and the trick to understanding soil health is to treat it like a living being. It is the presence of life that makes soil different from dirt. 

Just any plant, animal or human needs nutrition to grow and remain healthy, soil needs it too. The combination of certain nutritional elements makes soil capable of growing and supporting plant ecosystems. Let’s look into what these nutritional elements are.

Components of Healthy Soil

1. Vitamin Water

Well, water is technically not a vitamin, but it sure is vital for all life forms. It pours life into anything it touches. A majority of the earth and all its living beings is water too. So, we won’t be wrong to say that soil and water are soulmates. Naturally, it is important for soil to contain water. The absence of water can dry up soil and make it unsuitable for life to grow within it. Water further acts as a solvent for other nutrients in soil and helps them travel from one part to another with its flow. 

2. Organic matter

Dead and decomposing matter like fallen leaves, vegetable waste, dead animals and insects, animal faeces – all add to nitrogen, phosphorus, and sulfur levels in the soil. 3-5% is considered as ideal carbon content in soil. This organic matter makes up the soil ‘humus’.

3. Air 

Another important element for life. Many living organisms, including humans, use air as a medium for oxygen intake. A similar story goes on underground as well. For oxygen to reach the microorganisms of the soil, airflow is important. Roughly about 50% of the soil volume contains air pores and these air pores contain gaseous elements – oxygen, carbon dioxide, nitrogen and water vapour – all of which are essential for the survival of the microbial life in soil. The microbial life in the soil continuously releases carbon dioxide during respiration. Therefore, it is all the more necessary for soil that is ‘well ventilated’ (aerated in this case) for oxygen to come in and carbon dioxide to go out.

4. Living organisms

All living beings – insects, worms, bacteria, algae and more – make up what is called the ‘soil food web’ –  web indicating a strong interconnection between all these living beings below the soil surface. According to the US Department of Agriculture, a teaspoon of soil contains 100 million to 1 billion microbes! These include simple fungi, bacteria, algae, protozoa, worms, arthropods and nematodes. The soil that is generally suitable for agriculture and deemed ‘fertile’ contains a higher concentration of microbes than non-agricultural land. 

5. Minerals 

Just like minerals are an important part of human nutrition, they’re important for plant nutrition as well. While most farmers focus on improving nitrogen and carbon content in soil for their undeniable health boost, other minerals (which are often overlooked) play a significant part in enhancing soil health too. All essential minerals work in harmony with each other and collectively improve soil health.

Carbon – the central element of all organic matter on earth.

Nitrogen – present in all plant and animal proteins. Proteins are the building blocks of living beings. Therefore, the soil that grows the food we eat, needs to have its own building blocks.

Calcium – restores ph balance in soil (shifts acidity to alkalinity) and forms an important part of the structural elements of a plant. The ideal Ph of soil is between 5.5 to 7.7.

Magnesium – the central atom of chlorophyll pigment, important for photosynthesis

Phosphorus – essential for the reactions at a molecular level like metabolism of sugars, energy transfer, cell division and more.

The Touch and Feel of Healthy Soil

A handful of soil – Shot at the Poomaale Collective, Coorg

Three important components are crucial to making up a healthy soil structure – sand, silt and clay. However, each of these components cannot support a healthy plant system all by itself. Hence, we only see humans and animals chilling on sand beaches and statues made out of clay. 

In order to support food-growing systems, these elements need to work together.

Sand – allows air circulation by creating larger pores in soil.
Silt – holds water well enough and creates small pores in soil.

Clay – holds water and nutrients extremely well but is poor for air circulation.

The mixture of these three components in adequate amounts makes up a healthy soil structure that is loose (for adequate air circulation), friable (can crumble easily under little pressure) and allows water to drain easily. ‘Loamy’ soil is ideal for the growth of plants. Considered extremely fertile – it is a mixture of clay, sand, silt, and additional organic matter. It can hold a large amount of moisture but also drains well. Hence, it is suitable for cultivation as the water goes all the way down to the plant roots without them being overwatered. 

How to Check Soil Health?

• The first check is a visual inspection of your plants. Is the growth of your plants as expected? Do the plants look good or are they facing the troubles of stunted growth or rotting? Healthy plants are a product of healthy soil.
• Check for water drainage/stagnation. Water stagnation at any point is not desirable. A well-draining soil is considered healthy.
• Look out for earthworms and other insects which contribute to the soil food web. Healthy soil is an invitation to these living beings and their presence is a reason to celebrate.
• How easy on the hand is the soil? Is it friable enough or lumpy/rocky? The ease of working around the soil is an indicator of its structural health.

Harvesting diverse farm fresh veggies from the FPZ (Food Production Zone) in the Hyderabad Farming Collective. 

What it Takes to Achieve Soil Health

Adding extra nitrogen to soil and fertilizers that contain deficient minerals have been in practice. But they do the work by spilling out of the natural soil ecosystem. When we introduce external inputs, we take on the burden of all the elements of the natural environments on our shoulders that otherwise share the load of making soil healthy.

We, at the Hyderabad Collective at Bodakonda village, are constantly trying to understand and evaluate our soils, to determine the best-growing conditions for our veggie plants. Building healthy soils takes time, consistent trials, and evaluation of the trials. Our field tests at the Hyderabad Collective tell us that our soils are predominantly sandy. While this makes them very well-drained, we ideally require a higher component of clay to help hold moisture for longer. Fortunately, some clayey soil was excavated during the creation of our lake. We saw this as an opportunity to experiment.

Our experiment will involve using different proportions of this clayey soil as an additive to our veggie beds, to evaluate whether this is helping the growth of our veggies. Find out how we are carrying this out at the Hyderabad Farming Collective.

Lake Soil Experiment carried out at the Hyderabad Collective

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Ripe robusta coffee cherries ready for harvest. Shot at the Poomaale Collective, Coorg

Food consumption has seen a steep turn over the last decade. We now carefully check the ingredients that go into store-bought food and look out for organically grown, chemically free food. Among other things, coffee – our beloved caffeine drink, has surely fallen into the loop of conscious consumption with demand gradually growing for sustainably grown coffee. 

You may find yourself asking the seller if the coffee is ‘organic’ or chemical free, but have you ever wondered if your coffee can be beyond organic? Can a coffee bean touched by snakes, cats, elephants and squirrels travel all the way from the heart of the forest to your cup and take your senses into the pages of The Jungle Book? Well, we don’t think it can. We know it can!

Bewild Coffee – Forest-friendly and Sustainably Grown

The Poomaale Estate in Coorg is surrounded by acres of lush coffee forests and encompassing hillocks, two freshwater lakes, perennial streams, countless natural springs and monsoon nullahs. Nestled in the heart of Western Ghats – a biodiversity hotspot – it is naturally home to abundant wildlife including big cats, small-clawed otters, elephants, bat colonies, etc. This makes our estate a perfect demonstration of co-existence.

Robusta coffee growing under the forest canopy at the Poomaale Estate, Coorg

Under this harmonious forest canopy, robust coffee grows bountiful and wild. Ever since we entered the estate, we have been receiving a generous harvest of robusta coffee cherries. We decided to make this abundance of nature available to all coffee lovers out there and thus our Bewild Coffee was born. Sustainability is at the heart of everything we do here and we adopt the same principle for growing our wild robusta coffee as well. Let us take you through how we do it.

A Step Ahead in Optimising Natural Resources 

The robusta coffee bushes at our Poomaale Estate are about 30-40 years old. Owing to the natural resilience of this coffee variant, these bushes have been growing wildly for a few years before we made Poomaale our home. Due to the lack of maintenance prior to our arrival, there was already a forest-like ecosystem in the robusta coffee plantation zones at the estate – which are now our coffee forest zones. Though this ecosystem can support the growth of robusta coffee, we are trying to bring out the best of it by optimising the use of locally available resources. We are doing this by making some adjustments to the coffee growth patches. 

Trenches are dug at the centre of every 10’x10’ growth patch. We make sure to keep these trenches shallow so as to not disturb the underground root system. Every day, a farm worker collects some dried leaves and cow dung in the trenches. As they decompose, they keep adding nutrition to the surrounding coffee plants. Surplus manure is also added to them.

Adding organic matter and manure to the trenches in the coffee forest zone at the Poomaale Estate, Coorg

Additionally, these trenches are dug against the slope of the water drainage in order to trap the running water and allow it to seep in. This trenching system fulfils more than one purpose, becoming a humble example of permaculture – our overarching principle through which we plan to become food, water and power secure.

Growing Coffee in Sync with the Natural Cycle

Commercial coffee plantations use elaborate irrigation systems like sprinklers and man-made canals to meet the year-long demands of coffee. This artificial irrigation attempts to mimic the monsoon showers, pushing the coffee plants to bloom before time. In most cases, this leads to a high yield of coffee, but the sustainability of this process is highly doubtful. Not to forget the excessive use of energy that goes into powering the irrigation systems and its subsequent load on the land that holds the plant system together.

At the Poomaale Estate, we have gone irrigation-free, letting the rich monsoons of the Western Ghats do their magic. Monsoons in Coorg arrive early. We expect the first showers by mid-March, and after about 2-3 good showers, we have our robusta coffee plants blooming! After the plants have received their fill of rain, they start to fruit. By August, berries start appearing on the plants and these berries take their sweet time to become sweeter. December starts with freckles of ripe cherries appearing in sight and by February we are all up and excited for the harvest. 

Green unripe coffee berries getting ready for the harvest season. Shot at the Poomaale Collective, Coorg.

This harvest cycle is late compared to most coffee plantations in the region, but it follows the seasonal cycle and optimizes external inputs significantly.  We are happy for our harvest wild forest-fresh harvest to arrive a little late because, today, for every kg of coffee we grow we save 130 litres of water! 

Planning a Nutritious Future

Moving ahead we have plans to plant new robusta coffee saplings which we have procured from local nurseries. The robusta coffee plant grows big and wide, hence we plan to dig out 3’x3’ pits for each sapling to give it the space it needs. These pits will then be filled with the forest floor collected from the Nature Zone of the Poomaale Collective. The highly nutritious forest soil gives the coffee sapling a natural boost to grow at a healthy rate. For this forest floor mix, we generally use ¾ part leaves, 1 part cow dung, 1 part regular soil, and a fist full of forest soil. We make this mix and directly transfer it to the pits instead of preparing compost separately and adding it to the soil later.

This allows us to add nourishment to the sapling at the very first level. The microbes in the soil additionally contribute to making soil appropriate for growth. Preparation of the compost takes up to 60-90 days, but by adding forest floor mix the process is accelerated to 30 days. The coffee sapling pits are dug out a little deeper than our regular veggie patch pits. The extra space at the bottom is filled up with logs/chipped wood to allow it to start decaying slowly at this stage and become a part of the nutrient-heavy soil that would be needed a couple of years from now. 

As the roots grow deeper, the wood decomposes and provides ready nutrients for the roots. Providing nutrition for the plant for the coming years, but working for it today. 

Harvesting with a Human Touch

Harvesting ripe coffee cherries at the Poomaale Estate, Coorg

Our wild robusta coffee is a product of intense labour (and love). From planting saplings to harvesting ripe coffee cherries, all farm activities are done by humans. Digging pits and trenches, pruning coffee plants, filling up trenches, picking cherries – we use no machines for all these activities. Our approach has always been collaborative. The workers on our farm belong to the villages nearby and being generations of indigenous knowledge with them. Making a living without having to move far away from their homes gives them a sense of belonging and that is the feeling we want to retain at the Poomaale Estate.

If nature is the only thing you love more than coffee, our forest-friendly Bewild coffee is for you! Pick your favourite one out of the 6 variants from the Bewild Coffee page and tell how you like it. You can also visit the Poomaale Estate and take a visual tour of our coffee growing process, cherry on the cake is the abundant wildlife sightings during your stay. Our environment-friendly stay – Blyton Bungalow – is sure to make your cosy Coorg visits cosier! To plan your visit, get in touch with us.