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How a Scientist Quit His Job to Redefine Organic Moringa Farming

Moringa is a 'miracle tree' revered for centuries for its nutritional value and medicinal properties.

Traditionally, the plant is used to cure wounds, pain, ulcers, liver disease, heart disease, cancer, and inflammation, the modern uses include nutrition supplements, weight management, and blood sugar.

Know Why Moringa is Good for You

Dr Kandasami Saravanam, a 54-year-old scientist has defined the organic farming of Moringa leaves, with his efforts and innovations. He sells pure and authentic value-added products of Moringa podi, leaf, and powder across India, the USA, Canada, and the Gulf countries.

With his deep understanding of soil science, Dr. Sarvanan has revolutionized his family farm, turning it into a thriving enterprise and demonstrating how sustainable agriculture can be both profitable and environmentally responsible.

Hailing from Somankottai, a village in Tamil Nadu’s Tiruppur district, Kandasami has created 4 acres of lush green treasure of moringa oleifera. He comes from a family of moringa farmers and his family has largely cultivated drumsticks for decades. 

Dr. Sarvanan's unique blend of scientific knowledge and practical experience in agriculture has resulted in a sustainable business model that benefits both the environment and the economy, demonstrating the power of organic farming practices.

Leaving his Job for Farming:

Dr. Kandasami worked as a soil scientist at the Tamil Nadu Agriculture University for seven years. After dedicating years of hard work and expertise to conserving soil health and promoting natural farming practices, he applied his knowledge directly to the field. 

Resigning from his prestigious position in 2017, Kandasami found his true pursuit in life towards organic farming. His family initially opposed his decision was his unwavering vision kept him determined in his calling for natural farming. 

Dr Kandasami’s family farming was reaping poor returns from Drumstick farming for many years. The crops were becoming increasingly unprofitable and unsustainable due to the increased use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides. 

Due to high production, farmers were also bearing a loss of almost 90% due to low demand and market rates. Moringa farming was unprofitable despite the herb being drought-resistant and having immense therapeutic properties and bioactive compounds. Kandasami did extensive market research and learned that moringa leaves had a much higher international demand compared to drumsticks. 

Dr. Sarvanan's dedication to sustainable agriculture led him to adopt zero-budget practices and revive his family's farming heritage in Tamil Nadu. By cultivating moringa oleifera, a versatile and valuable crop, he demonstrated the positive impact of sustainable farming on both soil health and farmers' livelihoods.

Rooting for Sustainable and Organic Farming:

Dr. Sarvanan's commitment to sustainable agriculture is evident in his use of no-till cultivation, organic fertilizers, and drip irrigation.

His innovative approach, including bundle mulching, ensures that his moringa leaves are grown in an environment-friendly and efficient manner. 

Being a scientist, Saravanan has also understood the difference in farming techniques for harvesting drumsticks and leaves. Through moringa podi, leaves, and powder, he has set up the production of value-added products on the farm. 

In drumstick farming, the trees are planted at a wider spacing of 15 feet, whereas in leaf cultivation, saplings are planted closely together in a narrow space. The moringa leaves are cut when the tree reaches a height of two feet. 

The science behind not allowing the saplings to flower is that when the trees grow up to make flowers and fruits, the nutrition stored in the leaves will be used which will result in lower-quality leaves.

For high-quality moringa leaves, the produce is harvested before the flowering phase. Dr. Kandasami advises that leaves can be harvested up to six times at 50 to 60-day intervals, ensuring a year-round production.

Topsoil is used to grow 95% of our food and has half of the concentrated phosphorous available to the plant. Loss of topsoil can lead to the loss of inherent soil fertility levels.

Agricultural researchers have confirmed that frequently tilling the soil over different seasons may cause high erosion rates and topsoil degradation, where almost all organic matter is lost. 

Dr Saravanan believes that one of the best ways of saving this dynamic and imperative ecosystem of soil is through Organic farming. He uses no-till cultivation, goat manure, and farmyard waste to grow moringa leaves.

One of the most problematic things that hamper the cultivation is unnecessary weed growth along the crop. Conventional methods are unable to control weed growth for a longer time and require and take up a lot of time. 

Food and Agriculture Organization explains that “Weeds compete with the main food crops for nutrients, water, sunlight, and space which results in poorly grown food cultivation.” 

To maximize his export-focused production, he has developed a new technique called bundle mulching, where crop residues are stacked along the crop lines to suppress weed growth. This method was developed after Saravanan accidentally placed a stack of dry leaves along the crop and found that this was a natural method of stopping weed growth. 

Dry leaves also improve the soil quality by making it porous (a quality of soil that allows the roots to grow easily). These leaves also decompose and improve the carbon/nitrogen ratio in the soil.

Through his innovative shade-drying technique, he transforms moringa leaves into a variety of valuable products, including powder, capsules, and soups. This value-added approach has significantly boosted his income, demonstrating the immense potential of sustainable agriculture.

Conclusion:

Dr. Sarvanan, a visionary scientist-turned-farmer, has revolutionized moringa farming by seamlessly integrating science and nature.

By investing just Rs 1 lakh per acre, he earned close to Rs 1.25 lakh annually by selling moringa leaves alone. Selling at over Rs 800 per kg, the former soil scientist has successfully tapped into a demand-rich market in Europe, the USA, Canada, and the Middle East.

Dr. Sarvanan's success story serves as a powerful inspiration for farmers seeking to improve their livelihoods while preserving the environment. His innovative approach to moringa farming offers a sustainable and profitable path forward, showcasing the harmonious coexistence of agriculture and economic empowerment.