Chiguru Farm is a 15 acre active Natural farm land that is situated on the fringes of the Bilikal Forest on the south of Bannerghatta National Park. It is an hour and a half drive from the south of Bangalore, located at a distance of 40km from the NICE Road and Kanakapura Road Junction. The farm perimeter is protected by a solar fence to keep the occasional wild animals out.  The primary crops cultivated here are banana, mango, lemons, coconuts, arecanut. The farm also has a wide variety of fruit trees. Seasonal veggies are also cultivated here. Chiguru Farm is a wildlife friendly, cow-based Natural Farm, following a mix-and-match of SPNF, Permaculture and Agro-Forestry, all of which can be broadly categorized under Organic Farming. It is primarily a horticulture farm with varieties of fruits being grown. However, during monsoon we grow several field crops including pulses and grains and millets.

All pathways are lined with teak trees, that lends a romantic feel to the experience. The farm has been going completely chemical-free since 2015. Just outside the farm is a small public pond that holds water throughout the year. Within the farm, intensive water harvesting and storage options have been created, by digging 3 bodies that can store water during the rainy season. The rain water drains have been designed in a way to carry water to either one of  the 3 water bodies. Since these storage ponds have been built the small ponds in the nearby villages have water throughout the year. 

Chemical-free inputs like farm-yard-manure, compost and neem cake are used when required.  Also natural pest control companion planting (like chillies and marigold) in between the crops and using pheromone fly traps and solar traps instead of pesticides to prevent crop damage are employed.

The general rule of thumb is that we need 1 cow per 2-3 acres of farm that you want to make organic, we currently have 12 cows. The cows are kept ethically, without any artificial insemination and outside feed. They are mainly kept for farming purposes, whereas occasional milk is just a bonus for us! The cow manure is directly employed in vermicomposting all of the organic by-products. The vermicompost that is produced using earthworms to break down the organic by-products is sufficient for the farm. The farm also plays host to some chicks and hens.

#SustainableLiving is the keyword at Chiguru Farm. Our domestic power is completely on solar. Hot water is also supplied through solar water heaters. Lot of rain water harvesting and ground water recharging techniques have been employed. All the grey water (kitchen, bath, handwash, etc) is filtered and fed to the trees through drip irrigation system. All the wet waste is composted. Most of the manures/fertilizers/pesticides/insecticides are sourced from and/or prepared at the farm itself. Most of the food cooked at Chiguru Farm is with the items grown at the farm. We employ only local villagers – both for farm work as well as cooking, housekeeping, etc. We educate people about sustainable living. #VocalForLocal

PLEASE READ THE FAQ‘s about Chiguru Farm.

VIEW SLIDESHOW OF THE FARM at https://studio.stupeflix.com/v/0jUT7SBn6s2V/ .