The Hindu : Tamil Nadu News : This school dropout is a walking encyclopaedia on organic farming

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, Oct 14, 2004

Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu

This school dropout is a walking encyclopaedia on organic farming

By Swahilya Photo: V. Ganesan

K. Ramesh. — Photo: V. Ganesan

CHENNAI, OCT. 13. K. RAMESH, 29, did not even go beyond class VIII at school. But today post-graduate and research students come to him to learn the nuances of organic farming, and help them with their nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium analysis in laboratories or tell them the difference between various species of earthworms.

Having discontinued his education, and with a family of four brothers and sisters to support, Ramesh had to look for work. Joining Sultan Ahmed Ismail, who was then Professor at the Institute of Research in Soil Biology and Bio-technology, New College, as field assistant, he has literally applied himself to the job. Today he can speak with authority on how to construct a soil-composting pit or explain the benefits of organic farming.

Whether it is collecting micro-arthropods from leaf litter, separating juvenile worms from adults, telling the difference between a perionyx excavatus, the common worm and the lampito mauritii, calculating the number of worms in an acre from the number in a square foot, collecting cocoons, Ramesh is the authority, say students and research staff. Vermi-composting, vermi-wash or bio-dung composting: he's the man to ask.

He is a ready help for the M.Sc. and research students when it comes to practical work as he had helped in taking students to the site, getting the soil sampling and bringing it to the laboratory for analysis.

"When I came to New College, I only knew how to catch fish. But after my apprenticeship with Prof. Ismail, I attended the Department of Science and Technology workshops on organic farming. I have also learnt about protecting terrace gardens with the help of tyres," he says. He is ready to help anyone seeking information on composting. His thirst for knowledge makes him grab opportunities to sit in Ph.D. vivas and seminars. Next time you have a query on composting or earthworms, call Ramesh 98402-57610.

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