Basudha
Experience an Experimental Farm (small scale) in remote Odisha

You may visit and stay at BASUDHA.. This is one of those rare opportunities to see rural India upfront and learn from one of India's leading environmental scientists and activists.
Dr Deb runs this seed preserving and sustainable experimental farm on a shoestring.
Your visit would assist him in meeting some of the running costs.
The place is remote and you may have to get there on your own... and it is a unique experience.
Dr Deb runs this seed preserving and sustainable experimental farm on a shoestring.
Your visit would assist him in meeting some of the running costs.
The place is remote and you may have to get there on your own... and it is a unique experience.
Dr Deb (left) with farm Manager Dulal.
A Letter from Dr Deb....
In Basudha's set up in Odisha, no room has an attached bath. We have three dry toilets (EcoSan). For bathing we have a little hill spring by the homestead. Drinking water is deep well water, which is very safe. Food is simple, with Organic rice, dal and vegetables (all from our farm) as staple. The guest may order meat/milk/ eggs/ bread etc at cost.
There is no grid power, but we have ample lights and fans, powered by solar panels. Phones and laptops can also be recharged using a solar inverter. No TV, no newspaper.
The nearest market place is 10 km from our farm, nearest rail station 15 km.
Before arrival, all foreign tourists should send us scanned copies of his/her Passport and Visa page, which we have to submit to the District Magistrate's office for prior information of their visit [according to the rule of this "disturbed area"].
Many WWOOFers from 5 EU countries and the US have stayed on farm, but we have not entertained any tourist - so far (only because none approached us till date).
If any tourist is interested to visit, they may take the following routes to arrive at Basudha.
1. From Kolkata - take Howrah-Koraput Express, travel for 17 hours, then detrain at MUNIGUDA station. There are Auto-rickshaws/ cars to take to Basudha (fare approx. Rs. 300).
2. From central or southern India - Trains to Muniguda. nearest rail stations are Vizianagaram and Raipur. From either stations, Muniguda is 4-5 hours train travel.
3. Nearest airport is Visakhapattanam and Raipur. Take train from these places to Muniguda.
In Basudha's set up in Odisha, no room has an attached bath. We have three dry toilets (EcoSan). For bathing we have a little hill spring by the homestead. Drinking water is deep well water, which is very safe. Food is simple, with Organic rice, dal and vegetables (all from our farm) as staple. The guest may order meat/milk/ eggs/ bread etc at cost.
There is no grid power, but we have ample lights and fans, powered by solar panels. Phones and laptops can also be recharged using a solar inverter. No TV, no newspaper.
The nearest market place is 10 km from our farm, nearest rail station 15 km.
Before arrival, all foreign tourists should send us scanned copies of his/her Passport and Visa page, which we have to submit to the District Magistrate's office for prior information of their visit [according to the rule of this "disturbed area"].
Many WWOOFers from 5 EU countries and the US have stayed on farm, but we have not entertained any tourist - so far (only because none approached us till date).
If any tourist is interested to visit, they may take the following routes to arrive at Basudha.
1. From Kolkata - take Howrah-Koraput Express, travel for 17 hours, then detrain at MUNIGUDA station. There are Auto-rickshaws/ cars to take to Basudha (fare approx. Rs. 300).
2. From central or southern India - Trains to Muniguda. nearest rail stations are Vizianagaram and Raipur. From either stations, Muniguda is 4-5 hours train travel.
3. Nearest airport is Visakhapattanam and Raipur. Take train from these places to Muniguda.
CIS and BASUDHA does not receive any funding support from any institution - governmental or non-governmental. All expenses toward seed accession, crop cultivation, conservation, experiments, survey, and documentation are borne by the founder trustees, aided by periodic donations from personal friends and volunteer activists.
Basudha....the setting
Basudha.... The work
Basudha.... The beauty
Dulal, Debal and Mita