On my travels, social media interactions and volunteering with various organizations like Isha’s Rally for Rivers project, I came in touch with Ganesan anna. A farmer from Tamil Nadu who was (surprisingly) already active on Twitter. Intrigued, I decided to find out his story. 🙂

On the banks of the Ponnaiyar river, lies one of India’s top industrial hubs called Hosur. It is surrounded by thriving horticulture and floriculture farms. Timber tree cultivations on the other hand are much rarer to find. This story is about a timber tree cultivator and policy expert RP Ganesan anna from Hosur and of his dedication to improve the timber cultivation policy in the country. 

Ganesan Anna comes from a farming family but unlike his predecessors, crops didn’t interest him. Trees on the other hand were a passion. “In 4th std, I recall planting the seeds of Orange and Apple in my farm. While the Apple wasn’t suitable, the Orange trees grew well for many years. I soon shifted to a hostel for my studies and by the time I returned my father had already shifted to Mango tree cultivation. So, tree growing was a natural choice for me.” 

Agroforestry: Replete with Possibilities

The mango trees planted by his father didn’t produce a good harvest for many years. Ganesan anna tried out different trees like Tamarind, Black Jamun and Gooseberry. But he soon found out that no fruit tree would suit his dry farm conditions in the Uthangarai region near Hosur. 

“I spent one whole year looking for a suitable tree type for my farm. I visited agricultural colleges, forest offices, expert farmers and even Tirupati. There was not much on-ground knowledge of tree cultivation. Finally, I met one Dr Sadashivam who suggested many trees like Black Jamun, Gooseberry, Red Sanders and Teak. I tried all these and Red Sanders was the one that grew very well.” 

Finally, Ganesan anna had a thriving Red Sanders tree cultivation. However, his struggles weren’t over yet. Once the trees matured in 2015-16, he found out about the various policy restrictions imposed on selling the wood. Red Sanders timber couldn’t be exported. Domestic demand was very low due to the tedious legal process. Consequently, illegal trade had sprung up around it.

Ganesan anna filed many grievances with relevant authorities. He also started using Twitter (rp_ganesan) and other media platforms to reach the government and find solutions. It was one serendipitous Facebook comment from a forest officer that made him realise the key problem around timber cultivation. Until agroforestry was under the purview of the forest ministry, the restrictions would remain.

Ganesan anna says, “Agroforestry is like music. There are infinite possibilities in music, we can always come up with a new tune. The same way, agroforestry has infinite permutations and combinations. Finding the right trees for the right soil type, water availability, climate and other farm conditions. Multiple tree species that combine well together on the particular farm. Identifying the creepers and supplementary products that can grow with the trees to add to the farmers income and improve the ecological balance. It is truly a trove of science waiting to be explored.

This depth of work cannot be explored under the forest department. Their focus is completely different. There would have to be a dedicated team under the agricultural ministry that can help the farmers and develop this tome of knowledge.”

Better tidings for the industry

In 2017, agroforestry was added as a mandate for the agriculture ministry. The same year, Sadhguru launched the Rally for Rivers campaign which brought forth agroforestry as the holistic solution for farmer prosperity and ecological well-being. 

“When I became aware of The Rally for Rivers campaign, I prepared a small presentation and sent it to the team, that is how my alignment with Isha started.”

In 2019, the export restrictions were lifted on Red Sanders. This brought great relief to Ganesan anna and his wife. “Earlier my sons were not very impressed with agro farming. But after this policy news they are convinced and have decided to settle down within Tamilnadu and keep investing in agroforestry so they can continue it  along with their profession”

Good timber cultivation policies will not only bring prosperity to farmers in different land conditions but it will also ensure that future generations stick to this profession and thus develop the tome of knowledge on the subject. At the same time, all of us will gain from the many ecological benefits of agroforestry.

Creating a Culture of Learning 

With the Isha Agro movement, Ganesan anna has been helping other farmers learn about timber tree cultivation. 

“In October 2019, for the first time, I opened up my farm to outsiders. Earlier I didn’t allow it but the Isha team convinced me to take this risk to promote tree growing in a bigger way. They handled the event nicely and everyone was very happy. Showing the farm and addressing all the doubts of the farmers generates much more confidence than any presentation or speech can. After that, I do my best to help with any Isha events when I am needed” 

Apart from educating farmers and improving the on-ground knowledge Ganesan anna is also vocally trying to change the government policies. In these times of lockdown, every month, he has sent one presentation with his recommendations to 750 MPs from across the country.

”Except one or two, none of them have replied but I feel we should do our best. Nowadays, I am interacting specifically with the MP from my constituency because as per democracy we are supposed to let our people’s representative know of our difficulties. Let’s see if he will take this matter up and speak in parliament. After my effort, I hope that at least no MP will speak against a timber cultivation board”   

While a lot of us Isha folk are privy to the rally for rivers, project green hands and save soil activities through videos, brochures and blog posts. I am glad to get a chance to know about the on-ground people like Ganesan anna contributing to the change even before these movements started. The zeal with which he is going about, as an individual citizen to change government policies, is amazing.