Energy Farming at the HI Allahabad campus in India

In 2000, the Himalayan Institute purchased a 30-acre campus on the banks of the Ganges River in North India to create an educational retreat center. This campus was originally developed to host an excursion of over 500 people from around the world to the Maha Kumbha Mela in 2001. At the time it was purchased, [...]

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Local Community Shows Support for Energy Farming at the Tibetan Settlements

Due to the heavy rains of the monsoon season, the 20-acre Energy Farming demonstration site at the Tibetan Rabgayling Settlement was completely overgrown with grass. This threatened to choke the young Pongamia seedlings which were planted earlier this year. The grass was so tall that it was difficult to see where the pongamia seedlings were. [...]

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8,000 Pongamia Seedlings

The Energy Farming nursery at the Tibetan Rabgyeling Settlement is currently growing over 8,000 pongamia seedlings. Tending to a nursery of this size requires lots of attention to ensure that the seedlings get the right amount of water, sunlight, and nutrients.
During the summer, temperatures in South India reach as high as 110º F. Mature pongamia [...]

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Energy Farming to Combat Climate Change

Energy Farming refers to the sustainable cultivation of crops that provide green energy, most notably biofuel—crops like sunflower, castor, Jatropha, and Pongamia. As the cost of petroleum rises, the need for alternative sources of energy becomes more urgent. Energy Farming empowers rural farmers to enter into the rapidly expanding alternative energy market. By utilizing organic [...]

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Energy Farming Techniques

The Himalayan Institute’s Energy Farming program utilizes organic and biovedic land cultivation techniques. By avoiding chemical fertilizers and pesticides, the Energy Farming program is able to grow healthy crops while improving the fertility of the soil. Some of these techniques that are currently in use at the Tibetan Rabgyeling Settlement include intercropping, vermicomposting, and micro-rainwater [...]

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