DRMumbai: One cannot be closer to the heart of our countryside than when staying in a farm. Harvest Fresh Farms at Cumbum Valley near Thekkady is the perfect getaway to experience the hinterland first-hand. Located in the midst of verdant nature, yet close to small towns and the famous Periyar Tiger Reserve, the 35-acre farmland is a short 15-minute drive down from Kumily, Thekkady, in Kerala. What makes the farm unique is the toxic-free organic fruits and vegetables cultivated there.
“When we bought the land in 2008, we decided to engage in organic farming because we had always been very health conscious and aware of the ill-effects of pesticides and chemicals,” says Kurian Jose, CEO, Harvest Fresh Farms. The farm has received organic certification from INDOCERT, the agency accredited by National Accreditation Body (NAB), Government of India.
Drop in and you will find that the farm has a healing touch. An aesthetically laid out herbal garden with over 150 herbs, the farm provides you a rejuvenating experience. The farm is at its beautiful best in the morning with a mild mist hanging in the air. As one takes a stroll through the farm to gather fresh and ripe pomegranates, one can feel the aromatic scent of all the 150-odd medicinal plants in the herbal garden wafting through the air in the cold gentle breeze.
“We ensure that the farm follows best practices in the industry like rainwater harvesting and drip irrigation technique. We use biogas for cooking purposes and also compost organic waste to manure,” he says. It has three well-appointed rooms fitted with modern amenities and a separate living room with an attached kitchen. Each of these aesthetically arranged rooms has an earthy touch complementing the rich surrounding. One can also relish on authentic and scrumptious Kerala and Tamil cuisines here. ‘‘We are introducing 10 new cottages, a swimming pool, farm restaurant, basketball court, amphitheatre and one conference facility. The work on these amenities are progressing,’’ says Kurian.
Visitors can take a bullock cart or tractor ride to the organic farm that grows soursop, guava, custard apple, mango, passion fruit, sapota, coconut and jackfruit. One can also climb any one of the two watchtowers on either side of the farm and enjoy the splendid aeriel view of the entire Cumbum Valley. Visitors are also offered jeep safari to take a tour of the farm and nearby locations such as the Cumbum market, Lord Pennycuick Museum, vineyard and Kumily town. The farm is divided into 37 different plots, each named after a saint. A nursery having polyhouse and greenhouse was set up on the farm. One can wind up the farm visit after taking a shower in the Suruli falls nearby.
Harvest Fresh Farms was accorded the prestigious South Asian Travel (SATA) Award for the Best Guest House Inn for the years 2016 and 2017.
For bookings, contact, Ph: +91 75588 67799
Email: info@harvestfresh.in
www.harvestfresh.in
