The dollops of fragrant, clarified butter that accompany Laxman Singh's breakfast come from well-cared for, grass-fed cows. Milk from this village is prized in Jaipur for its purity and taste.
To an outsider, the thriving cattle of Laporiya are puzzling. Traditionally, the farmer without a cow is only half a farmer, but in these "modern" and "progressive" times, farmers place little value on cattle. During drought, when fodder and water are scarce, farmers turn their cattle loose to scavenge or give them away to gaushalas (cattle shelters).
The economy of Laporiya revolves around cattle. They are prized for their milk but even more for their manure. The manure of the indigenous cow, which is distinguished by a characteristic hump, is the basis of the farm's supply of fertilizer, seed treatment and pest prevention. Next to Laxman Singh's haveli is a huge pit filled with farm yard manure. From time to time, his wife Anand Kanwar and her sisters-in-law, dump kitchen waste, leaves, twigs and wood chips into the pit. All year round, the manure sits in the pit, gradually turning into compost. Laxman's brother Man Singh thrusts a stick deep inside the pit to judge the temperature of the compost. If he stuck his hand in, it would burn. The compost pit does not emit unpleasant smells. Nor does it attract insects.
Many years ago, when Laxman and his brothers were very young, government officials distributed sacks of fertilizer to the farmers. "Urea" would make the crops grow better, they said. For a long time, none of the farmers opened the sacks. Gradually, their fear of this new 'English fertilizer' (angrezi khaad) was overcome. Once the Pandora's box had been opened, there was no end to the fertilizers and 'medicines' (angrezi dawai) which came flying out
Image: Laxman Singh checks out the wasteland he hopes to regenerate with other villagers.
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