Interaction with the organic herb grower Shri Kailash Soni, village Demar, Chhattisgarh, India

Research Note - Pankaj Oudhia
© 2001,2002,2003 Pankaj Oudhia - All Rights Reserved

When any medicinal tree gets mechanical injury, the farmer Shri Kailash Soni ties red coloured cloth around the injured part. According to him, this treatment helps the injured tree to regain its vitality. When he observes any diseased or unhealthy herb, he simply cover it with white Muslin (Mulmul) cloth. This covering gives extra warmth and care to the diseased herb and by getting this affection, they get quick recovery from illness. Like the great Indian scientist Dr. Jagdish Chand Bose, who have proved that plants are also living creatures, like ourselves, Shri Soni believes that by giving extra love, we can help the herbs to show best performance. I am fortunate that I got chance to meet and interact with such dedicated farmer Shri Kailash Soni. Shri Soni is well known Mango grower of Dhamtari region. He has planted 16 different varieties of Mango in orchard and the great thing is that his farm is totally organic. He is conducting many in depth research to get good quantity as well as quality of farm produce with the help of this research. He has developed many herbal solutions used as nutrient supplement and as insect repellent. 'Amrit Pani' is one of these herbal solutions. To prepare this solution, he mixes equal quantity of Ghee and Shahad (Honey) and add common herbs found as wasteland plant like Chunchunia (Oxalis corniculata), Charota (Cassia tora) etc. This solution is used for seed treatment. According to him, it is promising substitute to chemical fungicides used for seed treatment. He used this solution in all crops. With the help of cow urine and Neem (Azadirachta indica) leaves, he prepares another solution and sprays it in the interval of ten days. This solution helps in repelling away the insects. According to him, this solution is a boon for the Mango growers.

Many times, it is hard to manage Mango hopper through this solution. To overcome this problem and to make the solution more stronger, he adds fresh leaf extract of Fudhar (Calotropis gigantea) in this solution. After adding this extract, the solution becomes enough strong to repel away the hoppers. Amarbel is problematic parasitic weed and attack on many hosts. Shri Soni has discovered and developed many potential uses of this parasitic weed. During rainy season when his cattle get the problems due to stomach disorder, he simply collects the Amarbel (Cuscuta reflexa) and prepare a decoction by boiling it in water. This decoction is given internally to unhealthy cattle to get quick relief. In his farm, he has started dog-breeding center also. For treatment of different diseases common in dogs, he never calls the doctor. With the help of common weeds, he is able to treat all troubles. During interaction, he informed me that the acid found on body of Chickpea (Chana) herb is enough strong to repel away the insect but when we use chemical inputs for nutrients and pest control, this acid washes away and the herb becomes prone to diseases and insect attack. Chickpea is a popular rabi (winter) season crop in Chhattisgarh and every year it is severely damaged by the notorius insect named Gram pod borer. He claims that as he uses no chemical inputs his Chickpea crop never face the problem of heavy infestation by these pod borer. I am agreed with his philosophy and concept. The agricultural experts recommend many lethal agrochemicals to manage this pest but as year passes, it becomes more and more stronger. Like the other organic growers of Chhattisgarh, he also uses wormi compost in his fields. He uses indigenous earthworms instead of vigours Italian earthworms popular among other growers . He is capable of fulfilling the demand of wormi-compost in his farm. He is conducting many experiments with Mango trees. When he planted four mango trees in surrounding of a Jam (Guava) tree, one of Mango trees showed surprising response and its fruits taste changed into the taste of Jam. I have tasted this surprise fruit during the visit to his farm. Encouraged by this finding now he is further extending this tree combinations. As Shri Soni's Mango fruits are grown organically, many natives living in nearby urban areas are eager to purchase this pure fruit at very high rates. In general, the natives eat the mango fruits after peeling but in case of these fruits, the natives eat it with skin. The natives response is motivating him to increase the area under organically grown crops.

As the area near his village Demar, (Dhamtari) is developing as industrial belt, now he is worrying about the fate of organic herbs in his farm because of heavy atmospheric pollution. This is good sign that Shri Soni is eager to share his experiences with other organic growers of Chhattisgarh. I am feeling lucky and proud to tell the world about his story. Thank you very much for reading this article.