Case3-February-2014

Icon of Puliyankudi

Gomathinayagam is a progressive farmer, who does not restrict his learning’s and knowledge in sustainable organic farming methods only to himself, but took efforts to spread them to many farmers through the ‘Vivasaya Seva Sangam’. He was the first to install the biogas plant in the state, introduce organic farming in sugarcane and new varieties of lime in the village. His outstanding works is recognized by many organizations. During the Foundation day celebrations on 2nd Oct, 2013, DHAN also honored him with a felicitation and award. The contribution of Gomathinayagam to the farming society is presented here.

The Icon of Puliyankudi Puliyankudi, in Thirunelveli District, Tamil Nadu renowned for lime fruits is the biggest supplier of lime fruits in the state. The village bestowed with fertile red soil and loamy soil is slowly turning toward organic agriculture, thanks to the efforts of Mr.Gomathinayagam, the catalyst behind this transformation. Running past eighty years, Mr.Gomathinayagam still strives hard to promote sustainable farming methods, not only in his village, but also in other villages in the state.

Born to Mr. Pichandi chettiyar and Ms.Gomathiammal on 11th July, 1934, he has two younger brothers Mr.Arunachalam and Mr.Nallathamabi. Owing to drought and water scarcity, Gomathinayagam’s father Mr.Pichandi leased his land to other farmers and started a printing press ‘Murugan Printing Press’, which was the first printing press in the village. Though the printing press gave a reasonable income, Pichandi passed away due to kidney ailment when Gomathinayagam was just six years old. Gomathinayagam was hence raised by his grandparents.

Gomathinayagam got educated till 8th Standard at Roman Catholic Church and later at government high school, Puliyankudi till 10th Standard. He also underwent a basic course in teacher training, based on Gandhian principles and started his career as a teacher in Ramalingam Middle school, in 1957. He got married to Ms.Velammal, from a farming family on 4th Dec, 1960 who gave birth to one three children, one daughter and two sons.

Reading brought the change

Being a voracious reader, he got inspired doing something for the betterment of the society. He was moved by the book ‘The world I saw’ by Mr.G.T.Nayudu a renowned scientist of Tamil Nadu. Inspired by the book, he wrote a letter to G.T. Nayudu, who called him for a meeting. Gomathinayagam who got astonished and delighted, accepted the invite and went to Coimbatore. G.T.Nayudu took him to his research farm at Gopal Pak, in Avinasi road and explained him about the various researches done by him in agriculture and explained him about natural farming. Gomathinayagam remained there as a guest for three days and on his return was carrying a bag full of books donated by him. Nayudu also advised him to do his own agricultural research in his field, which he took very seriously and formed a foundation for all his innovative works in agriculture.

Gomathinayagam started doing agriculture in his farm land putting his heart and soul. He constructed a well in his rainfed land by obtaining a subsidy of र 4,000 from the government and installed a motorized pump to irrigate the crops. Crops like paddy, chillies, cotton, groundnut, ragi and vegetables were grown in his field. Besides this he planted 380 coconut trees in another four acres. He spent his time in agricultural fields early in the morning before going to school and later in the evening. He sowed seed of crops like sun hemp, horse gram, gingelly, castor, cowpea, field beans and other crops and ploughed them in situ before they started flowering as manure to the field. He stopped applying inorganic fertilizers completely to his crops. Even in the times when the inorganic fertilizers are ruling, he resorted to organic agriculture.

Sustainable Natural farming

Gomathinayagam avoided usage of inorganic fertilizers and also pesticides in his farm lands. He owned twelve cows, which provided sufficient manure for his fields. You can get 100 kg of cowdung from a single cow in ten days. He constructed a composting pit of size 12 x 5 x 3 feet in which along with cow dung, 1500 kg of agricultural waste, 1800 kg of sand and 1500 litres of water. In a period of three months he was able to get 3000 kgs of good quality compost. Not only he protected his soil wealth but also was able to reduce his cultivation expenses to great extent. He also sold 50 to 60 litres of milk every day, which gave him good returns. He also grew fodder for the cattle in his field. Thus a natural cycle was maintained in his field.

Biogas plant

While the government itself was struggling to promote the concept biogas plants, Gomathinayagam installed two bio gas units in his cattle farm, with the support of Vivekanandha Kendra, Kanyakumari. The methane produced through the unit was carried through pipes to the gas stove in his house, located 250 feet away. The first ever biogas plant installed in India also gave a liquid manure of 700 litres which was used for composting. He also motivated others in the village to adopt the practice, effort of which was appreciated by the then District collector who paid a visit to the village. But due to continuous drought, water scarcity and reduction in fodder crop production etc., forced the units to get shutdown last year. ‘How can a farmer get enough cow dung if he was not able to feed his cattle due to water scarcity that prevented growing fodder crops?’ is the question he asks.

Vivasaya Seva Sangam ( Agricultural Seva Sangam)

Gomathinayagam being a Gandhian, did not want to restrict the benefits only with him but wish to extend what he learned in organic agriculture to other farmers in his village and neighboring villages. He spoke with all the farmers in the village and tried to organize them. With the support of Mr.A.P.C.Veerabagu of the Sarvodhaya sangh, he formed the Vivasaya Seva Sangam on 12th July, 1975. Mr. Sankarapandi Pillai, Ex- MP, from the place was appointed as its President and Mr.Isakimuthu functioned as its treasurer. Gomathinayagam became the secretary of the Sangh. This Sangam initiated with 50 farmer members, started functioning without any government support or aid and presently it is functioning as a self reliant organization. It functions with the following objective

• Evoking interest in agriculture among youth and making them involve in agriculture
• Networking the agricultural experts across the country with the member farmers of the sangh
• Providing agricultural consultancy services and technical guidelines for the needy
• Promoting organic agriculture by way of experience sharing by member farmers
• Supporting the member even in matters related to their family and personal issues
• Repair and maintenance of agricultural implements and oil engines of the members by the sangh itself

He also introduced the concept of Chit fund in the Sangh, to enable farmers to meet the emergency expenses, by providing a loan of र 30,000, the practice however was given up later.

Revolution in crop production

Even in most fertile soils, the sugarcane stubbles left after harvest will sprout again and give returns only for a maximum span of three years. The inorganic way of cultivating sugarcane spoils the soil health, reduces the microbial load and fertility of the soil. But Gomathinayagam was able to cultivate sugarcane, for twenty one years in succession, through which he also got a good yield of 60 to 70 tonnes/acre. This was possible because of organic way of cultivation of sugarcane. Many other farmers in the village who were inspired by these also started cultivating sugarcane organically. There are more than 400 sugar mills in the country and nowhere sugarcane is cultivated organically like done in Puliyankudi. The sugar mills give good price to our crop, since they yield high quality sugar. Not only that, they make sugar locally in a organic way (brown sugar) and sell it at premium price which fetches them good income.

The lime trees in Gomathinayagam’s farm got damaged and uprooted due to cyclones in 1991 and 1996. But he again planted lime trees in part of the land and getting good yield. Here too he resorted to sustainable farming methods using organic inputs. He also established a coconut grove with the guidance of G.T.Naidu. Besides this he got the technical support and guidance for organic farming from Mr. Nammaazvar, an expert who is involved in promotion of organic farming, Mr.Krishnasami gounder, ‘Eer Uzavan’ Editor of the magazine on agriculture and Mr.P.S.Mani, a renowned organic farmer.

He also was the first to adapt drip irrigation system for lime cultivation in Puliyangudi, and remained a inspiration for others to follow the same. He even got a income of र 1500/day during peak seasons. This method helped them to save water considerably and cope up with water scarcity during summer. His sons were also supporting him in agriculture and supporting him for value adding the agricultural produce from his farms. His son Jeeva, is making traditional food products and another son Nallathambi is running a organic store in Tirunelveli.

Activities done by the Vivasaya Seva Sangam

• The members of the Vivasaya Seva Sangam had the opportunity to visit many organic farms across the country, by way of exposure visits arranged since 1980. The visit to’Karpaga Viruksha’ organic farm in Maharashtra, ‘Naturopathy hospital’ in Coimbatore, ‘Modern goat farming ‘ in Thirumangalam, Madurai, organic farm of Mr.Muthukumar and Mr.Sethuraman, Kallikudi, Coimbatore and Organic farm of Mr.Sunderraman, Sathiyamangalam. The exposure visits which are continued till date enabled them to adopt organic farming techniques in their own farms in a more effective way.
• Leaflets were produced by the sangh for promotion of organic farming in different crops
• Gomathinayagam also introduced improved variety of Ber tree in Puliyangudi through the Sangam, fetched from Haryana, which many farmers are cultivating even now.
• Medical camps were held by the sangam with the support of Rotary club for creating awareness on sanitation and hygiene and also to prevent dengue.
• The sangam provided training on organic cultivation of vegetables to inmates of Palayamkottai prison every fortnight, due to which vegetables were grown in prison campus and used in their foods. The prisoners, majority of who were farmers carried this knowledge and applied in their farm fields.
• Gomathinayagam also distributes 5000 tree saplings every year through the sangh to school students and encourage them to plant them in their home or school premises. The sangam also advices on proper maintenance of those trees and does follow up to ensure that the trees are properly maintained. Apart from this he also distributes placards with environment friendly slogans to school students
• he task of laying roads from Puliyangudi to farm fields near foot hills of Western Ghats was entrusted to Vivasaya seva sangam by the Tirunelveli District administration through which seven roads were laid for which a expense of र 84 lakhs was incurred.
• The seva sangam also trains farmers to produce value added products from agricultural crops they raise and also supports direct marketing of them to consumers, thereby enhancing their income greatly.
• Gomathinayagam used to participate in the farmer’s grievance meeting organized by the district administration and represent the issues of farmers to the government. Also he provides guidance to the administration based on his experience which was well received. For e.g., he convinced the administration to extend subsidy of 75 % to all farmers for adopting drip irrigation system, irrespective of whether they are small or marginal farmers which was accepted and implemented by the government
• For ensuring water harvesting practices he obtained a fund support of र 14 lakhs from Department of Agriculture Tamilnadu and ensured construction of many farm ponds in the village. He also convinced the farmers to allocate a portion of their land for construction of farm ponds. Because of this efforts the ground water table in the area improved considerably
• To improve consumption of healthy foods by children and others he resorted to producing traditional healthy snacks and foods out of small millets viz., finger millet, proso millet, barn yard millet and little millet. He also produces various health mixes through the sangh and selling them to the public. He also encourages others to resort to production of healthy and hygienic foods
• The Vivasaya Seva Sangam also has held many farmers conferences and to enrich their knowledge in farming and marketing of farm produce. The conference on cultivating fruit tree crops organized with the support of Horticultural department in 2010 benefited more than 700 farmers. Along with World Medical Council, he organized training on ‘Preparing Home based medicines’ in Pabanasam, in which fifty women participated. Training and demonstration on small millet recipe preparation was given to in 2011 to many women in Puliyangudi. A seminar on ‘Changing food habits and culture and its impact on younger generation’ was given to Pushpalatha Matriculation Higher secondary school students on behalf of the sangam.
• Gomathinayagam also participated in many radio programs to spread the concept of organic agriculture and has written articles in leading regional newspapers on the same. His interviews on organic farming also got telecasted in Pothigai channel and other private channels
• National award for enhancing the productivity of lime through organic way of cultivation and through drip irrigation was won by a farmer Mr.Anthonisami of Puliyangudi, for which the guidance and support of Gomathinayagam played a major role.
• He also developed a new variety of lime by crossing a local variety and an improved variety which yields even 8000 fruits/tree/season and now widely cultivated by many farmers in Puliyangudi and surrounding villages.

The Awards and Honors

The selfless service of Gomathinayagam has won him several awards and recognitions from the government and other institutions

• He was appointed asa member of Tamilnadu agricultural research and development council during 1981-1984, during which he had the opportunity of spreading the concept of sustainable organic agriculture to other farmers
• The Grassroots innovator’s society, Hyderabad honored him with ‘Shristi Sanman’ award in the year 2003 for helping farmers through Vivasya Seva Sangam which is operation for more than twenty five years
• He got a appreciation certificate from the District collector of Tirunelveli in the year 1999 for its outstanding contribution to promote organic agriculture
• World medical council honored him with a certificate for writing a book on nutritive value of cereals and small millets.

Gomathinayagam is 80 years old now and remain hale and healthy, thanks to his healthy food habits and the habit of walking at least ten kilometers daily. Gomathinayagam says with pride ‘Running an organization to promote agriculture without political and government support, with internal funds generated from members is not an easy task. I feel delighted by the fact that Vivasaya Seva sangh is still rendering its services to farmers for nearly four decades’. Sustainable agriculture is not only organic farming but integrated farming approach which makes best use of the resources says Gomathinayagam. He shares that he still have some dreams about the future like

• Making educated youth to involve in agriculture
• Ensuring pesticide free organically grown food to all households, at least in Puliyangudi and other villages nearby in coming days
• Inculcating healthy traditional food habits back into the society
• Enroll all farmers into the practice of organic farming to ensure healthy food to the future generation.

Gomathinayagam is really an Icon not only for Puliankudi, but for other organic farmers in the state of Tamilnadu. The nation and the world need many such persons to do away with the greedy high inorganic input agriculture that spoils the health of the soil and the people.