Welcome to Murthy Hi-Tech Integrated Farms, Nagpur

(1) Use of Amrutjal (Jeevamrut) on a regular basis:

Jeevamrut (A fermented mixture of Cow Urine + Fresh Cow dung + Jaggery + any flour) is produced in bulk quantity on a regular basis and applied to all crops through drip on a daily basis. Jeevamrut is an organic manure which is highly nutritious and rich in N:P:K. and other micronutrients. Due to the continuous use of Jeevamrut, the farm is all set to become 100% organic in a short period.

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(2) Automation in water management:

A Netafim automated water management system has been fixed at the farm. This system popularly known as NMC-PRO can be programmed in such a way that exact amount water, its duration is automatically adjusted. The foggers are timed in such a way that during the day they work at exact pre-set intervals, maintaining the temperature and moisture inside green houses and shade net houses.

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(3) Use of Tensiometers to determine the soil moisture content level:

A tensiometer in soil science is a measuring instrument used to determine the metric water potential (Soil moisture tension) in the upper level of soil This device typically consists of a glass or plastic tube with a porous ceramic cup, and is filled with water. The top of the tube has either a built-in vacuum gauge or a rubber cap used with a portable puncture tensiometer instrument, which uses a hypodermic needle to measure the pressure inside the tensiometer. The tensiometer is buried in the soil, and a hand pump is used to pull a partial vacuum. As water is pulled out of the soil by plants and evaporation, the vacuum inside the tube increases. As water is added to the soil, the vacuum inside the tube pulls moisture from the soil and decreases. The actual gauge reading will vary according to the type of soil, the moisture content, and due to hysteresis, according to the saturation history of the soil. Such tensiometers are used at Murthy farms in irrigation scheduling to help determine when to water and how much water is to be sent through drip irrigation system.

(4) Use of simple, natural pest control measures:

At Murthy farms, simple and natural pest control measures are often used to control pests in a natural way. (1) Bird Antennas are installed all over the cropping field to allow the birds to sit and target the pests, which are its food. This serves both the purpose of destroying the pests and food to birds. Water is also made available on a small pot fixed to the antennas for the birds during summer months. (2) Waxed yellow / green traps are fixed all over the cropping field. This attracts the mites and flies naturally and they stick to the traps and die naturally. (3) Traps are used with pesticides kept inside the trap. Certain types of pests and stem borers attract towards these pesticides and die inside the trap.

Pesticides are not used or used at a very minimal level due to these innovative, simple and natural pest control methods.

(5) Precision Farming:

Murthy farms have adopted to precision farming techniques since its inception. 25-30 micron specially made plastic sheet is spread over beds and plants are transplanted in holes made at particular distance, depending upon the type of crops. This method helps in (1) weed management thereby reduction in cost of labour and also pest & diseases (2) water evaporation is also controlled thereby saving of water. 2-3 crops are normally harvested on one set of mulching. During March-April the sheets are carefully removed and sold for recycling. Land is again tilled and kept open for natural sterilization and beds are again made and compost is filled before relaying plastic sheets for further crop harvesting.

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(6) Use of Vermiwash:

Vermicompost, which is organic and rich in natural N:P:K is produced in bulk and the same has been continuously used for vegetable and other horticulture crops. While producing vermicompost, vital vermiwash is carefully collected which is very rich in natural organic nutrient and suitable for foliar spray. Vermiwash is a Brown colored liquid fertilizer, which is collected after water passes via a worm culture column. As a storehouse of nutrients and microorganisms, Vermiwash is used as a foliar spray for crops. Vermiwash contains excretory products and excesses creations of earthworms plus micronutrients from soil organic molecule. It has high quantities of nitrogen, phosphorus, potash, calcium, magnesium & zinc and is alkaline

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(7) Use of Seedling Trays and Coco peat:

Healthy saplings are backbone and basis of good crop and crop yield. If the saplings are healthy and the roots are well set, one can expect healthy crop and good harvesting. At Murthy farms all the saplings are invariably prepared using seedling trays and coco peat. Use of seedling trays and good quality coco peats help in proper development of root zones at the younger stage of plant and helps in proper growth and better crop yield.