The farm is owned and run by Anurag, Maya and Sujata Goel. We are both former research scientists who left behind the race of academic research and urban living to explore an organic way of life and a more harmonious existence with nature. After extensive travels throughout India, we chose the Kodagu District of Karnataka State (which lies in the heart of the Western Ghats) to establish a natural farm. The unique and most attractive feature of this area is that the local crops such as cardamom and pepper (which are indigenous to the Western Ghats) and coffee (which was introduced) are grown under the shade of rainforest trees. Therefore, much of the biodiversity can be preserved. Most plantations in Kodagu are abundant with many species of trees, birds, reptiles, small mammals and a fascinating array of spiders, lepidopterans and insects. However, heavy use of fertilizers and toxic pesticides have posed a serious threat to the biodiversity of this region and therefore it is important to adopt sustainable agricultural practices.We have been completely organic for the past 12 years and have encouraged others to do the same.

Organic Principles

We welcome and encourage all forms of organic farming whether it be revival of traditional practices (such as panchkavya), biodynamic farming, permaculture or natural farming; they all result in sustaining live and healthy soils which is the foundation of a strong agri-ecosystem. We have endeavored to develop this plantation along the principles by which Nature “manages” land and water resources. Our aim has been to strike a balance between time-tested traditional practices and modern scientific approaches. The methods we follow are based upon:

1. Maintaining a forest canopy to conserve fragile top soil, replenishing it with compost, and incorporating uncultivated forested spaces within the cultivated areas. 

 

2. Recycling all forms of organic wastes generated on the farm through use of native bacterial cultures.The weeds are invaluable in providing biomass which we require in abundance for composting and returning to the soils; and for creating native habitats for all the other supportive species which constitute an integral part of the rainforest ecosystem. 

   

3. Creation of habitats in all the growing areas to encourage and increase the populations of predatory species like birds, spiders, dragonflies, mantids, frogs, shrews, wasps, etc which have enabled us to keep a check on the pest populations.

4. Multiple cropping in all areas, with lots of mulch to always keep the soil moist and covered.

5. Maintenance of nurseries for all crops. The location is changed every year to avoid pathogens from developing.

We grow a variety of fresh foods and spices (on a small scale) that are locally consumed by us and our guesthouse, Rainforest Retreat.

   

Biodiversity

One of the features of a natural forest that we have tried to conserve here on this plantation is the rich biodiversity prevalent under the canopy of rainforest trees. By leaving uncultivated sectors of natural “weeds” and fauna in each valley, we have been encouraging  several predatory populations to flourish in these valleys. As a result, we now have excellent populations of spiders, wasps, dragonflies, frogs, lizards, snakes, and an amazing range of  birds, all of which contribute towards building up of a diverse and healthy agri-ecosystem.

 

Whereas our initial focus was to control a host of fungal diseases and insect pests on the cardamom crop through identifying local plants which we could use for crop protection, we have now found that these pathogens and  pests are no longer at crop-threatening levels and we can focus our attention on improving the efficiency of our composting techniques to replenish the soils after the heavy monsoon rains.

   

Finally, we have come to realize that it is only when farming is based upon “natural principles” can it be truly sustainable. Ecological farming is based on nurturing and nourishing the soils. Having healthy predatory populations within the agri-ecosystem naturally reduces the pest damage caused to crops. Having genetic diversity amongst the cropping system also enables us to select and maintain resistant clones. The heavy rainfall zones in the W. Ghats have a fragile ecology and are extremely prone to soil erosion. It is important to try and adopt agricultural practices which emphasize soil conservation and build up of organic matter rather than conventional farming techniques which depend upon heavy use of chemical pesticides and fertilizers which destroy the natural balances and lead to further destruction of this rich environment.

Crops

Our commercial crops are primarily cardamom and coffee  which are sold in the domestic market in bulk and as farm processed and packaged produce. Limited amounts of pepper, vanilla, garcinia are also available through mail order. 

Gourmet Filter Coffee (Roasted beans or powder) 500 gm @ Rs 100.00 250 gm @ Rs 50.00	Cardamom (bold, green) 100 gm @ Rs 80.00	Garcinia (Kokam) 200 gm @ Rs 25.00	Black Pepper  100 gm @ Rs 30.00
Vanilla Beans (grade A) 2 beans /sachet @ Rs 100.00	Green Tea 100 gm @ Rs 50.00	Black Masala Tea 100 gm @ Rs 50.00

Postage costs are extra.
We take orders via e-mail and send small parcels anywhere in India and Internationally.

The Rainforest Retreat  is a unique eco-lodge that enables the experience of living in harmony with nature.  

Educational Outreach Programs

We also organize and host workshops and educational programs with emphasis on organic farming, sustainable living, rainforest ecology and biodiversity for students and special interest groups such as organic farmers.