Author: Samarpita Banerjee
Publication: The Indian Express
Date: February 25, 2011
URL: http://www.indianexpress.com/news/dharwad-varsity-has-a-hit-pestcontrol-therapy-homa/754415/0
Introduction: Tejaswi Naik, a sericulturist
based in Belgaum, had lost hopes in farming until he came across this technique.
"My silkworm farm was plagued with various diseases. The silkworms used
to die from the residual effect of the traditional pesticides. Then I forayed
into organic farming. Thereon, I came to know about homa and decided to give
it a try
Picture this: A lone farmer rids a vast 200
acres of farm land of all pests with the use of ancient Indian science of
Ayurveda.
As difficult as it may sound, the University
of Agriculture Science (UAS), Dharwad, has been helping farmers do just that
for several years now.
While Agnihotra or homa therapy involves organic
farming, it has an added advantage: it takes care of air-borne diseases as
well.
Dr P W Basarkar, HOD, plant biochemistry,
who has started homa therapy at UAS, Dharwad, said: "Organic farming
is not new for our country. In fact, it originated in India. It is known to
purify soil and water only, but this (homa) technique can purify air in surrounding
areas of the farm, thus ensuring that the air-borne diseases don't harm the
crops in any way."
Agnihotra follows this procedure: burning
of specific organic substances in a copper pyramid; specific mantras and specific
timings corresponding to one circadian rhythm of nature, sunrise and sunset.
The ash of the yajna is later sprinkled on the fields.
Delving deeper, Basarkar says, "You have
to carry out a yajna every day at sunrise and sunset by offering two pinches
of uncooked whole rice grains mixed with two/three drops of cow's ghee in
fire lit by using cow dung cakes in an inverted pyramid shaped copper vessel
which come in the sizes of 14.5 cmx14.5 cm at the top, 5.25cm x 5.25cm at
the bottom and a height of 6.5 cm. We have been testing this method on a soy
bean and tomato farm for the past two years and have received cent per cent
results."
Two mantras are also chanted while making
the offering. When asked about the significance of the mantras, Basarkar elaborated,
"The importance of the mantras is that it gives a kind of resonance to
the air which activates the whole procedure."
The technique can be used anywhere: a house,
garden or a farm.
However, to cover a larger area, a hut is
constructed with four pyramids installed inside.
People who have been using the technique vouch
for it.
Abhay Muthalik, a chemical engineer-turned-organic
farmer based in Belgaum, has been using the technique for the past two years
now. "And my produce has never been better. The problems that even organic
farming cannot solve, vanish with homa therapy. The best part is that it is
such an easy process which can be practised by anyone and everyone,"
says Muthalik.
Abhay says he has been talking to farmers
across Belgaum and inspiring them to take up the technique.
Tejaswi Naik, a sericulturist based in Belgaum,
had lost hopes in farming until he came across this technique. "My silkworm
farm was plagued with various diseases. The silkworms used to die from the
residual effect of the traditional pesticides. Then I forayed into organic
farming. Thereon, I came to know about homa and decided to give it a try."
Naik has been using the technique for the
past six years. "Before using the homa therapy, I used to get a 40 per
cent yield. Today, it has almost doubled and the quality is unmatched in the
entire district."
Umakant Tiwari, a mango farmer based in Unnao
in Uttar Pradesh, is not only extremely happy with the success of the therapy
but also been advocating it in the village. "We are a group of 60-70
people here who are practising the technique. Sadly, there is no awareness
among the uneducated farmers here. We are trying to talk to as many farmers
as possible. In the past year, we have been successful to influence about
5-6 uneducated farmers to join our group and all of them are very satisfied
with the results they have got," said Tiwari.
The UAS, Dharwad, too, has been trying to
spread the message among farmers. Says Director (Research) P M Salimath: "We
have been looking at the impact of the therapy on the plants. Today, we have
a few students who are carrying out research on the effects of homa on different
crops. We have been trying to spread the message among the farmers in neighbouring
areas. We have started a diploma course for poor farmers to make them aware
that there is a way other than using artificial harmful pesticides."
