Christian, volunteers and employees sorting vegetables at Auro-Orchard.
Auro-Orchard, one of
Auroville’s biggest farms, took the decision to go organic in
October 2012. How have they done? And how optimistic are they about
the future of food production in Auroville?
Auro-Orchard was one of the
first pieces of land purchased for Auroville in 1964. The land had
been owned by a Brahmin, who was often referred to as ‘the Swami’,
and there was a small Ganesh temple on it. When the land was bought,
a promise was made to the Swami that the temple would be maintained
and a puja offered there every day. This is still happening today.
Gerard, who had been in the
Ashram since 1955, was the first manager of Auro-Orchard and is still
there today. “It happened like this. When I asked the Mother if I
should go up north to study agriculture, she encouraged me and I
went. On one of my visits back, Mother called me and said, ‘Near
Promesse I have a piece of land. Nothing much is happening ...
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