Procuring Healthy Vegetable Saplings: A Hands-On Experience with Organic Mandya
Introduction
At Organic Mandya, we believe that growing vegetables starts with choosing the right saplings. During a recent field activity, trainees visited local nurseries to purchase tomato, chilli, and eggplant saplings. This hands-on approach not only allows trainees to select healthy plants but also teaches them the importance of quality, cost-effectiveness, and sustainable farming practices.
“Healthy saplings are the foundation of a productive farm. Choosing the right variety ensures faster growth, better pollination, and higher yields,” emphasizes Mr. Madhuchandan.
Planning and Procurement: Step by Step
Before heading to the nursery, the team decided:
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Eggplant and Chillies: 6 trays of round eggplant, 6 trays of Mysore eggplant.
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Tomatoes and Chillies: 12 trays each.
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Optional Crops: German turnips (6 trays if available).
Each tray contained around 98–99 saplings, and healthy leaves were a priority.
“The leaves of the saplings must not be yellow-only robust, healthy plants make it to our farm,” said one trainee.
The team traveled to the nursery to buy saplings directly, a shift from earlier practices where orders were placed and delivered. This method ensures freshness, cost savings, and direct support for local nurseries, creating wealth for both farmers and nursery owners.
On the Nursery Trip
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Upon arrival, the trainees asked about available saplings: “What do you have? We need tomatoes, eggplant, and chillies.”
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The nursery had tomatoes and chillies immediately, while eggplants were available after 20 days.
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Pricing: Chillies and tomato saplings cost 1 rupee per sapling, slightly higher than the market rate of 50 paise, but quality mattered most.
Negotiations and Quantity Management:
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For 12 trays each of tomatoes and chillies, the nursery offered 2 extra trays for free, totaling roughly 1,200 saplings per crop.
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Total cost for tomatoes and chillies was 2,100 rupees, paid via online transfer.
“Buying ready saplings may cost a little more, but it saves time and ensures faster flowering and better pollination, especially for eggplants,” noted Mr. Madhuchandan.
Benefits of Buying Healthy Saplings
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Faster Growth and Pollination: Eggplants attract bees quickly, improving fruit set.
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Consistent Quality: Trainees can visually inspect the saplings, ensuring healthy leaves and roots.
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Cost-Efficient Options: Nurseries can grow saplings from seeds for a lower price, if desired.
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Hands-On Learning: Trainees understand plant spacing, care, and crop selection.
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Support Local Nurseries: Direct purchases create wealth and strengthen local agricultural networks.
Final Thoughts
The nursery trip was both educational and practical. Trainees gained first-hand experience in selecting saplings, managing costs, and understanding crop requirements.
“Seeing the excitement on the trainees’ faces when they held the healthy saplings reminded us why hands-on experience is invaluable. Farming is as much about learning and planning as it is about planting,” said Mr. Madhuchandan.
By carefully selecting saplings and focusing on quality over price, farmers can ensure higher yields, faster growth, and sustainable crop cycles. This approach reflects Organic Mandya’s commitment to practical, profitable, and eco-friendly farming practices.
