In Mumbai: Throw and Grow

The human species is said to be evolving every day of the hour moving towards technology, specifically mobile or movable technology. Over the years computers have been substituted by phones, our grocery stores have been substituted by mobile applications delivering fresh fruits and vegetables right at our doorstep. With the on the going movement of making everything much more ‘easier’ and ‘mobile’, have we thought about the traditional method of plantation?

Of course, we have! Masanobu Fukuoka, a Japanese farmer, and a microbiologist reintroduced the traditional concept of Seed Balls or now popularly know as Seed Bombs in the year 1938.  Seed bombs were an ancient Japanese practice called Tsuchi Dango, meaning ‘Earth Dumpling’ (seed bombs are made from clay earth)

Known for his significant work in the areas of sustainable agriculture, Fukuoka initiated these bombs as a part of his annual farming regime.  By making small balls out of clay, soil, and seeds, he believed mother nature will always take care of the seeds we sow and will decide which crop to provide us with, even though the germination could occur in 7 days or 7 years.

In today’s age where the greenery is becoming a silent victim of modernization, seed bombs work as a great idea for a sustainable environment in our concrete jungles.

So how do we make these bombs? Made by mixing seeds, clay, and the soil into a small ball or a laddu shape, these bombs can be thrown or embedded in the soil. The best part is you don’t need to dig a hole, you partially immerse these bombs. The soil acts as a protector which processes germination. This unstructured organic way of plantation is also a lot of fun when thrown randomly on the soil.

Not just popular all over the world, seed bombs are also picking up rapidly in India. In a lot of places of India, cow dung is also used as an additional component to keep pests and insects away. Most environmentalists have termed this innovation as seeds of success due to its rapid growth rate. Many countries also use drones and helicopters to ‘seed bomb’ areas filled with soil. With its convenient method and efficiency, seed bombs are something to look forward to in the coming years! #throwandgrow