STORY OF TISHIKA ORGANIC

MY STORY : FROM A SMALL BALCONY GARDEN TO BEING THE FOUNDER AT TISHIKA ORGANIC

After years of toil and extensive studies I am now growing okra, chillies, bitter gourds and spinach in my first floor balcony. In my so-called “The Farm” which is in my parental home, I have the capacity to grow 50000 seedlings. There I have been able to harvest okra, coriander, spinach, bitter gourds and tomatoes. Eggplants, pumpkins and others are on their way.

The hydroponic systems there consist of 11 bato buckets, DWC in two 200 ltr tanks and six 25 ltr buckets and a NFT system of 20 plants. In all I can grow about 100 plants hydroponically.

I am now able to make pH down and pH up solutions myself. I have the wherewithal to make my own nutrient solution. It is not rocket science. I have coco peat, vermiculite and perlite in adequate quantities.

I am aware that in spite of one's efforts it is ultimately nature's bounties that are bestowed on you.

There is no substitute for passion and patience, when taking care of plants. So, how did this changeover come about ? Towards the end of 2020, I single handedly looked after about 200 tomato plants. My hands and even my clothes used to smell of tomatoes. Prior to that I had meditated extensively for about four months. I often asked myself and others, “Does God live in a tomato plant?” I tell everyone to look after at least one tomato plant to find the answer for themselves. Of course God is present in all living beings and nature is a manifestation of God. In my case I not only found God, I also found a new calling as an urban gardener. I spent the whole of Aug last year painting all our flower pots while continuing with my meditation. Then I started reading a lot about gardening, particularly about growing vegetables. I took notes and started maintaining a garden diary. Earlier this year I visited a high tech green house with a capacity of 4 lakh seedlings. The manager of the green house encouraged and guided me. The green house was running successfully at that time. At about the same time my new neighbour handed over about 30 different types of plants for safe keeping since his house was under renovation. This combination of events encouraged me to start a garden centre. I faced teething problems as in any other business. I was able to get all the raw material required by me locally. I built a number of small poly houses on the terrace and roof of our ancestral home. My garden centre is up and running by now.

This year we realized that our efforts in the small balcony of our flat had started showing results. The summer was not so hot inside our home and pollution was less outside. We have been able to cover our balcony in green to a large extent.

My extensive studies convinced me about the need for vertical farming in a controlled environment and use of techniques such as hydroponics. I made a working model of a NFT system. Later, I attended two online courses on basics of hydroponics.

This is how Tishika Organic was conceived and born. Early on we decided that Tishika Organic will only sell products manufactured by them and the garden produce. It was also considered that products will be sold through e-commerce. The website of Tishika Organic has since been published and our products are listed on Amazon India.

It has been a journey worth it and once again there is no substitute for passion and patience. This is only the beginning of the journey and my story.