Pathanamthitta: A Keralite expat tasted 100 percent success on his mixed farming initiative. The foreign returnees can take up the farming method of Thomas Abraham.
Thomas, who returned to Kerala six years ago after ending his 34- year- old expat life, has a huge collection of rare crops in his compound. He made use of the entire space on his 25 cent land to engage in mixed farming. He started vegetable farming on his rooftop during the lockdown period.
Due to the limitation of space, he constructed a rain shed (mazha mara) of 100 sq. metres with the help of Kadapra Krishi Bhavan. All kinds of vegetables are grown here. The vegetables are watered using the water that is collected in the tank attached to the rain shed. The grow bags and pots are kept on the pavilion stand that has been built on the rooftop.
Giant Granadilla, which helps in improving immunity as well as controlling diabetes and blood pressure, Dragon fruit with red pulp, bush pepper that grown all 12 months of the season, Chinese Orange, Miracle fruit, Kilo white guava, Aayur Jack, Rambutan, Peanut butter fruit, small bread fruit tree, star fruit ginger, Amaranthus pink beauty are some of the rare fruits grown by Thomas Abraham on his compound.
Apart from the plants, there is a poultry farm which includes 250 chickens of various kind, more than 60 Bob white Quail and turkeys. Thomas has also constructed an aquaponics fish pond which contains 5000 fish provided by the fisheries department. There are also 50 ducks along with different kinds of Vechur cattles in the compound.
Thomas also uses a machine to gauge the acidity level of the soil. He also cultivates paddy along with this. He has received so many agricultural awards and recognitions. He is supported by his wife Elsamma Thomas in his endeavour.
