I observed that all the vegetation on our farm
land was given adequate green manure, cow dung or compost, neem cake or
groundnut cake and ash on a regular basis. This made their yield very good. The
earthworms, Mannira, and various
beetles and other micro-organisms that are found in the soil consume the manure
and a fertile organic soil is returned which is ready for absorption by the
plants.
It was again
the Grama Sevak who advised my
parents to use chemical fertilizers lavishly to get better yield. Urea, Super
phosphate, Ammonium phosphate, and Muriate of Potash were some of the
fertilizers commonly used in the paddy fields and plantations. When green
manure was neglected the yield began to decrease. The numbers of earthworms,
beettles and other micro-organisms in the soil were also found scarce. I have
observed that the minute organisms and other tiny animals help in converting
the dead fauna and flora into humus or organic soil fit for consumption by the
plants. Due to the regular use of chemical pesticides and fertilizers there were
negative effects on the soil and the land such as land degradation and desertification and make the land
unfit for cultivation. One
should, therefore, resort to the old method of organic cultivation for getting
a reasonable yield. This also makes the fruits and the grains much
tastier.
I have started using a few products
like Panchagavyam and Aminoplus
developed jointly by the Krishi Vigyan
Kerala and the Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute at Ernakulam. Panchagavyam is prepared by a mix of
cowdung, urine, milk, curd, butter, which are obtained from a cow reared in
naturally, and also adding Palayamkotan
fruit, jaggery and tender coconut water.
One ml. of this mix diluted in one litre of water is be sprayed on the
leaves once in ten days; it will improve not only their growing but also
flowering and fruiting. Aminoplus is
another fermented product made of Indian Sardine fish and jaggery. Spraying of
this mix will improve the growth of the plant. Both these products give
resistance to attack by insects.
I have experienced that a mix of neem cake and groundnut cake
fermented for a week is poured into the bed of guava tree and other fruit trees
it will start flowering and give you lots of fruits. Krishi Vigyan has developed lots of other products helpful for the
growth of plants as well as protection from insects and other micro-organisms.
Web:www.kvkernakulam.org.in).
Excerpts from
NEED OF THE HOUR
by
Joseph J. Thayamkeril
josephjthayamkeril@gmail.com
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