Farm to Table

Living in environmentally conscious Washington DC, I thought I understood “Farm to Table” and “going organic,” but it wasn’t until I visited Mayaganahali village in India, located 60 km southwest of Bangalore, that I truly became aware of their meaning.

Next door to a garment factory, Nagrajaiah, a local farmer, grows coconuts, mangoes, jackfruit, and some American favorites such as bell peppers (capsicum in Kannada) and tomatoes among other delicious fruits and vegetables. In addition, he has one Tom Turkey which would make any American Thanksgiving feast complete. 

A farmer in India grows food for his family’s personal consumption and to sell produce at the market. For instance, Nagrajaiah grows traditional crops such as finger millet (ragi) to feed his family. Additionally, he also grows silk worms to compete on the world market (this is the silk capital of the world, after all). Farm to Table aficionados would appreciate Nagrajaiah’s use of compost as a natural fertilizer, which allows him to increase in crop yield, as well as fuel for cooking. 

In the United States, we often do not think about from where the produce in our grocery stores comes. In one trip we may purchase tomatoes, potatoes, rice, and bananas that have been imported from all over the world grown in farms such as Nagrajaiah’s. For the average Indian, food comes from places much closer to home; quite literally farm to table in a matter of a day or two.

For example, while touring one farm, we ate fresh coconut. Here fresh means a farmhand climbed a coconut tree (with no harness or equipment in sight), used a scythe to cut open the coconut, and served us the coconuts, full of coconut water. It is custom to frequently offer guests such snacks, as we were also offered tea and biscuits by other farmers.

Observing a family producing their fruit, vegetables, and even energy, from their farm is a fascinating experience. Their complete self-sufficiency gives one a new appreciation for “Farm to Table” and going organic. There are certainly lessons we can all take back with us to Washington, DC.