Long hours, tight deadlines, and ever-increasing client demands lead to constant stress at work and take a toll on an employee’s performance and productivity, in turn, impacting their physical and emotional health. There are umpteen ways to de-stress and bolster one’s well-being in and out of the workplace.
Stress busting programs and initiatives at the workplace are essential. It is believed that employees who work in offices that are well connected with nature have proven to be more productive at work. Being connected with plants has proven to be therapeutic and helps in keeping an individual’s mind calm after a long week at work.
Keeping this in mind, K Raheja Corp initiated organic farming in 2011. Integrated farming system is available at its commercial complexes such as Mindspace Airoli, Mindspace Madhapur, and Mindspace Malad. Mindspace, Madhapur was the first K Raheja Corp property to have implemented this activity and is now a full-fledged organic farm within the property.
What started as an experiment soon transformed into a much-welcomed reprieve for the employees who not only enjoyed the activity which engendered more greenery but very enthusiastically employed the concept at their respective homes as well. Employees started off by experimenting with easy to grow and short-cycle vegetables like Spinach, Amaranthus, and Radish in a 3500 sq.ft area. The entire project was developed out of un-used materials lying at the site without any labor cost thanks to the many volunteers.
The clients at these business parks who are continuously working indoors have also responded well, with an active intent to learn the process of organic farming allowing them to refresh and unwind. A weeklong workshop conducted by Mindspace saw over 5000 people participating.
Considering the keenness of employees and the clients, a host of workshops are in the pipeline. Invitations to attend these workshops are extended to teachers and students of various schools to give them an understanding of urban farming and composting. All requisite amenities including seeds, pots, containers, recycled water were made available to the employees for them to plant a crop of their preferred choice using manure produced in-house by the regular composting activity. A skilled horticulture team helps maintain and develop the farm ensuring healthy growth of plants through the year.
Various vegetables like Capsicum, Maize, Tomato, Cabbage, Onion, Curry tree, Spinach, Chilly pepper plants, Potato, Sweet Potato, French Beans, Sweet Corn, and even Rice, Wheat, Sugarcane, and Mustard have found a place at the farm. With a change in season, the farm is brimming with patches of Cucumber, Sweet Peas, Brinjal, Bottlegourd, Cauliflower, Pumpkin, Snake Gourd, Cowpea, Coriander, Red and Green Amaranthus, Drumstick, Mint, Red and White Radish, Colocasia, Ridge Gourd, Sponge Gourd, Water Melon, Cluster Bean, Ginger, Beet Root, Basil etc.
The produce, which is roughly 60 to 65 kg per business park, is donated to orphanages that are associated with K Raheja Corp and also distributed among the support staff.
