"Dream, Dream, Dream! Conduct these dreams into thoughts, and then transform them into action."
- Dr. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam
"Dream, Dream, Dream! Conduct these dreams into thoughts, and then transform them into action."
- Dr. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam
28 Jul 2023
In a world where chemical fertilizers and pesticides have become synonymous with modern farming, M Shankaran Namboodiri, a natural farmer from Kerala, is on a mission to preserve and conserve 300-odd varieties of mangoes that are on the verge of extinction.
Namboodiri's farm, 'Moorthiyedath Mana', located near Sreekrishnapuram in Ottappalam taluk of Palakkad district, is a haven for the King of Fruits. He has been developing the garden since 1976 and has conserved mangoes from various parts of the world, including North Indian states and many native Kerala varieties.
What sets Namboodiri's farming practices apart is that he firmly believes that chemicals have no place in his three-and-a-half-acre compound. He has cultivated cardamom plants for domestic consumption and rears native breeds of cows like Ananganmala kullan and Vilwadhiri, both found in Palakkad district, Krishna Valley from Karnataka, and Kapila, found on the Kerala-Karnataka border, for generating biogas and using their dung as manure.
Namboodiri's efforts have not gone unnoticed. A former chief secretary who visited his farm in 2007 advised him to create awareness among the public on the need to conserve traditional plant varieties. Namboodiri's farm serves as an inspiration for many who aspire to preserve our rich agricultural heritage.
