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
MEMOIRS
by
Joseph J. Thayamkeril
josephjthayamkeril@gmail.com
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