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Mangalurean researcher’s advice helps Cambodian farmers reap benefits


Mangalore Today News Network

Mangaluru, July 09, 2019: Dr Varanashi Krishna Moorthy, chief, Varanashi Development and Research Foundation, Adyanadka has returned from 17 days trip of Cambodia held from the last week of May to June 9.


Varanashi


He was visiting on an organic cashew advisory project. His trip was sponsored by two international NGO’s- International Volunteers of Yamagata (IVY) of Japan and German community for International Co-operation (GIZ). During the trip, Krishna Moorthy attended 10 farmers, met agriculture extension officers and participated in field demonstrations. He presented a seminar on organic and sustainable agriculture and Varanashi Farms towards organic and sustainable agriculture: own story with slide show and video. In addition to local Cambodians, people from Germany, Japan, Malaysia and Kazakhstan were also present. The seminar was organized by Cambodian Organic Agriculture Organization (COrAA).

Krishna Moorthy turned his farm organic from 1991 and in 1997 was certified as organic. During the Cambodian visit, he visited cashew farm of Seong Ngy. He told TOI, "Ngy was one among several farmers trained in organic cashew cultivation during my repeated German sponsored visits in 2006. That time Ngy was harvesting 3kg cashewnut per tree in his 18 ha. cashew property. He now harvests 40kg cashew in his 6 years old cashew and 100- 170kg in his 11 years old trees. Back then a poor farmer, today along with farming he manages a cashew nursery and two trucks for transport business," said Krishna Moorthy.


During summer, being in equatorial region, temperature at Cambodia touches 40 degree C. Wise and hardworking Ngy works between 1 AM to 7 AM with a gum boot, head light and his moped, which can take him all through the farm. He takes rest till evening. He has four part time female helpers. He is now a rich farmer and inspite of language barrier our meeting made both of us happy, said Krishna Moorthy.


He also visited a large organic black pepper plot. In Cambodia pepper vine is grown on closely erected 12 ft tall thick wooden pole without shade under micro sprinkler irrigation. Vietnam also follows the same system. The farm he visited had 2000 fully grown three year old black pepper plants. Unfortunately all of them were affected with slow wilt caused by Phytopthora fungus and were turning yellow. Suitable remedy was suggested.


Krishna Moorthy has over 37 years of experience in organic farming. He is an organic farmer, researcher, extension specialist and an entrepreneur. VaranashiDevelopment and Research Foundation has received APJ Abdul Kalam Environmental award. He has rich experience in composting, organic farming, water harvesting and management, manufacturing bio-fertilizers and bio-pesticide, bio-gas, waste recycling, organic certification and internal control system. He is an expert in betel nut, cocoa, black pepper, cashew, nut meg, coconut, rice, teak cultivation and a few tropical and native vegetables. He has worked in about 19 R&D projects and R&D linked extension programmes in organic farming, standardization and bio fertilizer in different countries. He is recipient Krishi Pandit award.


Krishna Moorthy has extensive experience of working in cashew sector development in Cambodia. He has provided consulting services to GTZ- trade promotion as an expert advisor on organic cashew cultivation during 2006-2007 for nearly 20 months. During this period, he produced hand book on organic cashew cultivation which was published in English and Kannada editions. The soft copy is available in Khmer.


Courtesy:Time of India