AuroOrchard is Auroville’s oldest farm, founded in 1968 and spread over 25 acres of red earth on the eastern coast of Tamil Nadu, it has been a cornerstone of Auroville’s food system for more than five decades. Despite the challenges of farming today, the farm resiliently holds to its purpose, ‘growing food for Auroville’ and tending to the fragile web that binds land, community, and spirit together.
AuroOrchard is Auroville’s oldest farm, founded in 1968 and spread over 25 acres of red earth on the eastern coast of Tamil Nadu, it has been a cornerstone of Auroville’s food system for more than five decades. Despite the challenges of farming today, the farm resiliently holds to its purpose, ‘growing food for Auroville’ and tending to the fragile web that binds land, community, and spirit together.
We care for orchards planted decades ago while planting new ones for the future. Using syntropic and successional methods, we grow food while deepening biodiversity and soil life.
Our vegetables grow through every season. With compost, rotations, and minimal soil disturbance, we nurture the land while providing a steady flow of fresh produce to Auroville all year.
Ninety percent of our seeds come from the farm, some saved for over 40 years. We raise our own saplings and share seeds and plants to keep diversity alive.
Our hens roam freely outdoors, providing healthy eggs for the community. We continually explore better ways to care for them—balancing their well-being with the farm’s needs.
We preserve nature’s surplus by drying, fermenting, and pickling. This reduces waste, extends the harvest’s availability, strengthens the farm’s economy, and creates opportunities to work with food beyond the field.
The farm is a place to learn, experiment, and share. We refine practices, host learners, and exchange knowledge to help grow a new generation of farmers.
Est. 1968 AuroOrchard is the oldest farm of Auroville growing food for the community, empowering people & broaden research into agriculture of future
AuroOrchard | Auroville
Est. 1968 AuroOrchard is the oldest farm of Auroville growing food for the community, empowering people & broaden research into agriculture of future
![Poultry remained a major focus the past months. We remodeled all nest boxes, added more perches, and reviewed practices to improve efficiency and living conditions for the birds. We were also audited by Certified Humane International for certification—a valuable learning process.
Soon, AuroOrchard’s poultry will be among the few internationally certified free-range operations in India!!
[AuroOrchard Stories, Certified Humane International free-range Poultry]](https://scontent-bom5-2.cdninstagram.com/v/t39.30808-6/624561211_122121239715012885_7876712926564764841_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_e35_tt6&_nc_cat=102&ccb=7-5&_nc_sid=18de74&efg=eyJlZmdfdGFnIjoiRkVFRC5iZXN0X2ltYWdlX3VybGdlbi5DMyJ9&_nc_ohc=Gdr4IrTC34IQ7kNvwFQn-T9&_nc_oc=AdleojwI3dCxlzvv7Mx7BjdcLbgOIW3gOMvm5xLQSACq1BeE6FZOTdwfyOXGY3I369KuDPjUZVqY0_Tf26gjQbw-&_nc_zt=23&_nc_ht=scontent-bom5-2.cdninstagram.com&edm=ANo9K5cEAAAA&_nc_gid=4PGzz2Vgwgg2Psb609dDaw&oh=00_AftL__62APtri_bZS0ot5Kl3isJYA3Ie3JE7DFazQm5Pfg&oe=698991B8)
Poultry remained a major focus the past months. We remodeled all nest boxes, added more perches, and reviewed practices to improve efficiency and living conditions for the birds. We were also audited by Certified Humane International for certification—a valuable learning process.
Soon, AuroOrchard’s poultry will be among the few internationally certified free-range operations in India!!
[AuroOrchard Stories, Certified Humane International free-range Poultry]
![The Market Garden Course is taking place from Feb 18 – May 13, 2026!
Learn to plan, design and grow productive, small-scale farms that are ecologically sound, socially responsible, and financially viable.
Who is this course for?
- Farmers seeking to strengthen or scale their current operations.
- Individuals or groups wanting to start or diversify food production on their land or in their communities.
- Anyone committed to producing healthy food while caring for the environment.
WHEN:
18 February 2026 - 13 May 2026
For more details about the course and to sign up, head on over to our link in our Bio!
For any queries, please reach out to us on auroorchard@auroville.org.in
[AuroOrchard, Market Garden Course, Agroecology]](https://scontent-bom5-2.cdninstagram.com/v/t51.82787-15/626822222_18305448490279783_17108432803139125_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_e35_tt6&_nc_cat=104&ccb=7-5&_nc_sid=18de74&efg=eyJlZmdfdGFnIjoiRkVFRC5iZXN0X2ltYWdlX3VybGdlbi5DMyJ9&_nc_ohc=GR0PSep5ygQQ7kNvwGLMa5g&_nc_oc=AdlO0EnyxsYfEaYiipEYFFGpWEHObRbJInALXdqqNNBD16EIz8y2l_KT5jRDgm3TmxXwB_a_W7N-YHZZzd7_UGXA&_nc_zt=23&_nc_ht=scontent-bom5-2.cdninstagram.com&edm=ANo9K5cEAAAA&_nc_gid=4PGzz2Vgwgg2Psb609dDaw&oh=00_AfvL5vZD7ItYykwAD2gD8vtg978HZP3g9WsJDl3CCkLStA&oe=6989A37B)
The Market Garden Course is taking place from Feb 18 – May 13, 2026!
Learn to plan, design and grow productive, small-scale farms that are ecologically sound, socially responsible, and financially viable.
Who is this course for?
- Farmers seeking to strengthen or scale their current operations.
- Individuals or groups wanting to start or diversify food production on their land or in their communities.
- Anyone committed to producing healthy food while caring for the environment.
WHEN:
18 February 2026 - 13 May 2026
For more details about the course and to sign up, head on over to our link in our Bio!
For any queries, please reach out to us on auroorchard@auroville.org.in
[AuroOrchard, Market Garden Course, Agroecology]
We had the pleasure of hosting curious minds from the University of Technology Sydney at Auro Orchard.
The day unfolded through rich discussions exploring the relationship of food across social, ecological, technological, and spiritual lenses sparked by the students’ questions and reflections.
Anshul guided the students around the orchard and nursery, sharing a brief history of Auroville and Auro Orchard, while giving insights into the experiments and practices we are carrying out to understand food, growth, and sustainability in deeper ways.
Here’s a small glimpse from the nursery.
We hosted Kenichi-san and Vishal from Shumei International for an insightful session and conversation on Shumei and its practices.
The exchange explored how Shumei’s approach is rooted in spirituality, beauty, and harmony with nature, with reflections on natural agriculture and everyday living. Grateful for the shared perspectives and learning.
Learn more:
shumei-international.org
Banana suckers are young shoots that grow from the base of a mature banana plant. They are not seeds. Each sucker is a continuation of the same plant and is used for propagation, carrying the exact characteristics of the parent variety.
These are two banana varieties we are planting.
🍌 Red banana
The red banana is known for its deep color and rich flavor. When ripe, it is naturally sweet and aromatic, with a taste that feels almost candy-like. The texture is soft and dense, and it is often eaten fresh.
🍌 Matti banana
The Matti variety is traditionally grown in the Kanyakumari and Trivandrum regions. It is smaller in size, fragrant, and mildly sweet, with a distinct local character. This variety is deeply connected to regional food culture and is usually eaten ripe.
![Can a perfect ecological balance exist in agriculture? We currently face around 30% crop loss due to pest pressures and have been working with bioferments and plant-based preparations to strengthen plant health, tolerate damage, and reduce losses.
Our brewery got an update last month and became even more exciting!
Read more here: https://auroorchard.auroville.org/our-brewery-for-plant-health/
[AuroOrchard stories, Experiments, Practices, Ecology, Polyorchards, Vegetable gardening, Research & Education]](https://scontent-bom2-3.cdninstagram.com/v/t39.30808-6/605831415_122118165351012885_3662188070157211094_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_e35_tt6&_nc_cat=103&ccb=7-5&_nc_sid=18de74&efg=eyJlZmdfdGFnIjoiQ0FST1VTRUxfSVRFTS5iZXN0X2ltYWdlX3VybGdlbi5DMyJ9&_nc_ohc=x6jt-ADBIT4Q7kNvwG_HT9H&_nc_oc=AdlJ6kP34CFJevSgNFCGdFXnElu4Wed1DPlkqYZE_1UtVnXM7yk03MS63qHPF8d-F5DsSPlBvhGgiWWzm44ibOBz&_nc_zt=23&_nc_ht=scontent-bom2-3.cdninstagram.com&edm=ANo9K5cEAAAA&_nc_gid=4PGzz2Vgwgg2Psb609dDaw&oh=00_AfvZmHg7BLiug_FfMRVYyWr8ZFDMTEdFYMyoG2M8H12Duw&oe=69899EA5)
Can a perfect ecological balance exist in agriculture? We currently face around 30% crop loss due to pest pressures and have been working with bioferments and plant-based preparations to strengthen plant health, tolerate damage, and reduce losses.
Our brewery got an update last month and became even more exciting!
Read more here: https://auroorchard.auroville.org/our-brewery-for-plant-health/
[AuroOrchard stories, Experiments, Practices, Ecology, Polyorchards, Vegetable gardening, Research & Education]
Summarising the year 2025 at AuroOrchard!
Read more here: https://auroorchard.auroville.org/year-end-updates/
Smiles are a great indication of a fulfilling life, maybe that’s what our volunteers experience growing food for Auroville!🥭
We asked our volunteer Reuben what it’s like to be at the farm? He has been volunteering at the farm for the past 8 months, and has worked in the processing unit and the field! 🌱 His joyousness answers it all!
Volunteer at the farm, and join us at Farm Walks every Wednesday 10AM-12PM, email us at auroorchard@auroville.org.in 💚
#sustainable #auroville #auroorchard #volunteering #organic
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AuroOrchard is certified organic by the Tamil Nadu Organic Certification (ORG/SC/1906/001683) Department accredited by APEDA (Agricultural and Processed Food Products Exports Development Authority), New Delhi, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India.
