Eco-friendly Agricultural Practices -an example of 'Nanjangud Rasabaale hannu' cultivation in Melkote
Eco-friendly Agricultural Practices -an example of
'Nanjangud Rasabaale hannu' cultivation in Melkote
An Article by Sri M. A. Narsimhan in Mandayam Newsletter
Agricultural Profession is by and large fraught with uncertainty and a range of issues such as dependence on weather, water and power availability etc. Such issues are mostly overcome by planned practices developed over the years. However, a very striking issue is the attack by various pests, viruses etc. which lead to the very destruction of well cultivated crops. One such issue is an attack of “Panama Wilt” on 'Nanjangud Rasabalehannu' (a well- known variety of banana), mainly grown in Nanjangud and Chamarajnagar Taluks, near Mysore.
What is Panama Wilt disease?
The Panama Wilt disease, a fungal infection caused by the Fuserium Wilt pathogen, has been the bane of 'Rasabale' (Banana) farmers. The symptoms of the disease aggravate and start showing up just before the flowering stage. The leaves turn yellow and wither, the base of the stem splits and the roots rot, destroying the whole plant.
Panama disease (or Fusarium wilt) is a plant disease that infects banana plants (Musa spp.). It is a wilting disease caused by the fungus Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense (Foc). The pathogen is resistant to fungicides and its control is limited to phytosanitary measure (From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia).
'Nanjangudu Rasabalehannu'
Many of us, particularly people from outside of Karnataka state, would not have heard of 'Nanjangudu Rasabalehannu'. It is a particular choice variety of banana grown especially in and around Nanjanagudu, near Mysore. Nanjangud rasabale is one of the iconic fruits of the old Mysore region and is considered to be Mysore's pride. It is distinct in taste and aroma unmatched to any other variety. It is reputedly a luscious fruit loaded with nutrients and is also said to be the best banana variety in the world. The banana is said to have been patronised by Wadiyars, the erstwhile ruling family of Mysore and many other prominent public personalities. Now this famous banana special is on the verge of the extinction due to the Panama Wilt disease. Though the fruit is in demand, due to adverse impact of the Panama Wilt disease, farmers are averse to growing it.
Owing to the specific qualities that are due to the place of origin (taste, smell and pulp quality), the Nanjangud Rasabale was given the Geographical Indication (GI) protection in 2005 under the Geographical Indication of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999. It was hoped that inclusion in the GI registry would give renewed impetus to its cultivation. The slump began when water from the Kabini dam was used for irrigation instead of the rainwater pond in the village. Since then, Rasabale farmers have shifted to growing other varieties of banana like the 'Yelakki Bale' and 'Pach Bale'. The pathogen stays in the soil for 30 years once it gets affected. The 'suckers' or the lateral shoots of the parent plant used as planting material can further propagate the disease.
Nanjanagud Rasabale Cultivation in Melkote
Sri M A Lakshmithathachar, (a renowned Sanskrit scholar and President of India Gold medallist), has now taken a sustained interest in cultivation of Nanjangud Rasabale successfully in Melkote (Mandya district). Sri Thathachar planted the saplings of Nanjangud Rasabale, obtained from Dept.of Horticulture, Mysore in his farm at Melkote. As the saplings were showing healthy progress in six months, suddenly Panama Wilt struck them and the leafs of the plants started turning yellowish following withering of the same and the plants started collapsing one by one. Sri Thathachar immediately consulted many experts of the Horticulture Dept., agriculturists in Mandya, Mysore, Tamil Nadu etc. While most of them advised the use some pesticide formulation on trial and error basis, others showed helplessness saying it is inevitable.
Sri Thathachar, with his close familiarity and knowledge of many ancient manuscripts and texts on horticulture, agriculture etc., set out to adopt some indigenous solutions by preparation of a unique “native concoction". He injected the same into the stem of the withering banana plants and lo, there was a significant improvement in the plants, as it arrested the decay by the disease. Not giving up, Swamiji, guided by his expertise in ancient knowledge of botanical practices (using no pesticide), employed the combination of wild plants / extracts, cattle wastes and home ingredients etc, to treat the Panama Wilt disease effectively. Sri Thathachar, encouraged by the developments, increased the frequency and dosage one by one and was able to save the plants from destruction and relentlessly nursed the plants ( nearly 70 to 80 no's) back to full health , finally realising a rich harvest of the fruits. Some photos are attached herewith from his farm produce.
Eco-friendly Agriculture:
It is also important to note that no pesticide has been used at any stage, thus amply proving that traditional methods, can still solve such issues and even result in a robust and healthy agricultural produce! The “native concoction" for the formulation was based on Ayurvedic principles, native folklore knowledge, besides practices being followed by traditional farming community, but long forgotten and buried under present day impact of western influence ! As is known, every one commends pesticides, but what about pesticide residues, which are highly carcinogenic in nature. Hence there is a need to turn back on this abhorring practice and listen to the wisdom of nature and ecological sanity.
This is what prompted, Sri Lakshmithathacharya Swami, set out on this awesome journey, which has resulted in remarkable breakthrough and success. Here lies an underlying but obvious wisdom, for those in the farm sector, to accept and adopt eco-friendly agricultural practices, which ensures wisdom and twin benefits of Environmental / ecological sustainability and public health.