India: Gurugram residents turn weekend farmers in quest for respite from city life

This little parcel of agricultural land in Gurugram’s Teekli village has become a favourite weekend getaway for the four friends for the past three years.

By Ashok Kuma
The Hindu
Mar 10, 2024

Excerpt:

Sanyogita, the FPO’s manager, explains the simple set-up. “The 3.5-acre plot of land is divided further into plots of 600 sq. yards each, and given out on leases. The families who lease them are charged ?35,000 per month on a six-month lease, which includes all input costs as well as the wages of the farm labourer couple who takes care of everything, from sowing to harvesting. Thus, the families need not make any additional effort to grow vegetables, but of course, they are free to visit and participate if they want to,” she says.

“We are a new breed of farmers — the urban farmers,” quips one of the four friends, Harsh Anand, a software professional. For him, this concept of self-farming means more than just eating chemical-free produce. “It feels good to relax in the lap of nature after a hectic week. It de-stresses me,” he says, as his friends nod in agreement.

Mr. Kannojia adds that his pet, a 13-year-old black labrador called Kai, is also fond of these outings to the farm, and tags along every time he leaves for the village. The winters especially, say the friends, are a boon for the four of them, who are avid bird watchers. Various species of birds dot the farm at the time, Mr. Kannojia says.

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