Homoeo medicines proving excellent bio-fertilizers

By M. Dinesh Varma

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, NOV. 9. A select range of homoeopathy medicines is proving to be excellent bio-fertilizers with pest repellent properties for a range of plants and crops during field studies conducted by a volunteer team at the Government Homoeopathic Medical College here.

The results of these "clinical trials" on plants and crops have been much more than encouraging, with application of liquid form of the drugs in adjusted dosage returning bumper harvests and augmenting self-protective mechanisms to ward off disease and repel pests and insect attacks.

"Farmers, who tried it out on their crops as diverse as coconuts and bitter gourds, paddy and banana, have been ecstatic about the boost in yield," Dr. M. Abdul Lethif, Principal of the Government Homoeopathic Medical College in Thiruvananthapuram, project conceiver, told The Hindu.

"Most importantly, the medicine-equipped plants/crops were enabled to ward off disease and pest attacks," says Dr. Lethif, who is also controlling officer, Department of Homoeopathic Medical Education, Kerala.

Dr. Lethif has been working on a baseline of around 10 homoeopathic formulations, classified as the "Agrocare" range of residue-free and organic vitalisers for the past eight years. The identity of the ingredients, supplied in the form of globules, is being kept a closely guarded secret as the innovator has applied (on October 20, 1999) for a patent at the office of the Controller for Patents in Chennai.

The phenomenon has already attracted the attention of the Union Agriculture Ministry, which has sought a demonstration before a panel of experts of the Indian Council for Agricultural Research.

However, in spite of the promising potential of the homoeopathic bio-fertilizers, there is yet to be a State- supported and systematic initiative to validate the innovation for largescale application in a State where the farming sector is in disarray.

The vitalisers have been tested at the Government seed farms at Chirayinkeezhu and Ulloor a couple of years ago but no systematic evaluation has ensured the trial. The most sincere attempt as yet has been initiated on 1.75 ha of banana plantations and 3 ha of paddy in Kunnatthukal grama panchayat in the district.

Field observations led by the agriculture officer, Mr. Gireesh Kumar, have already indicated that initial results from the application of homoeopathic medicines were encouraging. The technique was cost-effective, eco-friendly and provided improved yield and better control over pest and diseases of crop. However, prior to largescale use of this technique there had to be detailed research to explore the full possibilities of organic farming, according to the agricultural officer.

Meanwhile, the acceptance has been spontaneous among farmers who have volunteered to experiment with the medicines. Not only had the field trials with the homoeopathic medicines gained much from higher yields but also the plants and crops on the medicine- soaked soil base had not been attacked by pest, insects or any disease.

Wherever homoeopathic experiment had been attempted, the results were enthusing. Farmers have tested the bio-fertilizers on arecanut in 1999 at Maikavu and on five varieties of vegetables at Chelannur in Kozhikode and on orchids and anthuriums at Anayara in Thiruvananthapuram.

It is pointed out that plants do need some insects and need to ward off others. A group of plants follows a system of communication with chemicals, through a process known as allelopathy.

According to Dr. Lethif, it could be seen from the trials that application of homoeopathy solvents had lend additional protection to the plants by producing certain chemicals that are repellent to harmful insects or by increasing the natural immunity of the plants and trees.

"This inference leads to the potentiality of preparing separate formulations for the disease/pests for various crops such as coconut, pepper, plantains, tubers, or even flowering plants", says Dr. Lethif.

The innovation was presented as part of a compendium of background papers on the focal theme of the 12th Kerala Science Congress in January last year. The event organised by the State Committee on Science, Technology and Environment, had focussed on "Health for weaker sections and disabled".

The hope held out by this organic vitalizer will also figure in a paper presentation at the one-day workshop organised by the Kerala Agricultural University in Thrissur on November 22.

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