CHARDEP has purchased 10 acres of land in the name of the organization at Atchankulam which is at the foothill of Maruthuvalmalai which translated means ‘hill of medicinal herbs’. This land is being used for demonstrating eco-friendly and sustainable agricultural practices for the benefit of small and marginal farmers. The following are some of the practices demonstrated.

This green algae can easily be grown in local waterbodies or agricultural fields as valuable green fodder.

Using earthworms, kitchen waste as well as agricultural matter is used to produce vermicompost which is the excreta of earthworm, which is rich in humus. Earthworms eat cow dung or farm yard manure along with other farm wastes and pass it through their body and in the process convert it into vermicompost. CHARDEP has established a demonstration vermibed and farmers as well as women from the self help groups are trained in this technology.

Gobar gas, or methane generated from cow dung has been proved to be a potential alternative to fossil fuels in rural IndiaIt can be the solution to the desperate fuel shortages in most rural areas. A gobar gas plant has been established at the farm and awareness on its benefits as well as guidance for using this technology is imparted to rural people.

CHARDEP has plans to undertake cultivation of medicinal herbs on a large scale. This is in accordance with its objectives which include promotion of medicinal herbs. For this purpose, 200 acres of land have been leased out and detailed  plans are being drawn up for starting cultivation.