Excessive reliance on chemical fertilizers and their imbalanced use has affected soil health. The micronutrient deficiency in soil has increased. Organic carbon which is very essential to hold the important nutrients in the soil, has also decreased drastically. Loss of Organic carbon can lead to reduction in soil fertility, land degradation and even desertification.
This is a “multiutility innovation” based on plant ingredients. It acts as growth promoter, fungicide, and termiticide. Due to its high organic content, it improves soil fertility, increases water intake and enhances water-holding capacity of the soil. Thus, it can also be used for soil reclamation.
Shri Ishwar Singh Kundu (45) has developed a multi utility herbal formulation, which can be used as a bio-fertiliser, soil enhancer and as an insect pest control formulation for a variety of crops.His family consists of his mother, his wife and three young children all of whom are studying. Shri Kundu's father was in military but later left the services to practice agriculture. He had around 70 acres of land but since their family was typically joint family, after partition his share came to be only 2 acres on which he today grows wheat and rice.He had his education in the village itself then after 10th moved to Kaithal to do his ITI course (1984-86). After the completion of the course he started looking for various jobs but could not find any. So he returned back in 1986 to his village to do agriculture. Along with his farming he kept on trying to get a job but as fate would have it he could not land up anywhere. So finally in 1988 he decided to set up a seed and pesticide shop at Kaithal in partnership with another person. The work was fine but some how things did not work out well between the two so he returned back to his home in 1992 establishing his workshop of agricultural repair where he mended small agricultural implements, pumps, etc.During the ITI times he had some interest in journalism too and used to send articles to various newspapers etc. He even started a newsletter, `Janta Leader' in 1985 and continued its publication till 1992 with the help of his friends. Then during 1993-95 he shifted to Faridabad again to work with an acquaintance of his. But had to return back again to his place after having another bitter experience. Then again he started his workshop of agricultural machinery, vacuum pumps, etc.
He started experimenting with Neem (Azadirachta indica). First he boiled neem leaves in water and sprayed this solution on crop. Result was optimistic and he proceeded further. In the second phase he mixed neem oil with the solution and got better result. He developed his technique and used Neem leaves, Neem oil, Chirayta, Kaner, Jaggery along with a couple of other herbs. All these herbs are mixed with urine of cow in a vessel and put in soil with the vessel. After fifteen days it gets decomposed. The solution is then filtered. If more effectiveness is required neem leaves decoction can be added to it.He used a liter of herbal solution (stock solution) with 100-liter water and sprayed on paddy crop with good results. All kind of insects and pest were killed and others ran away from the field. The animals also do not eat this crop because the presence of the solution on the leaves makes its taste bitter. The solution has been found to be effective in vegetables also. Feedback from the users indicates that it is helpful in controlling termite also. It acts as a pesticide, insecticide and growth promoter also because after using it the quantity of fertilizer required becomes very less. Though he is trying as hard as he possibly can do with his limited resources Kundu feels if some marketing support is provided then he possibly can do better. Since he hardly receives any cash in advance, it becomes difficult for him to maintain the supply as he is already cash stripped. So he is also looking forward to some sort of a loan, which can help him fulfill the demand for his product, which he believes is going to be great in the coming season. He also wants to open a NGO, the main objective of which would be to educate the people about the merits and demerits of organic and inorganic farming.
Indian Patent Applied (No.: 1104/DEL/2007)
| Crops/Purpose | Dose | Process of Application |
| Soil treatment (with low organic Carbon) | 8-10 kg | Before sowing or transplanting. Note: If soil is sandy than broadcast just before watering/irrigating |
| Rice, wheat and other field crops | 5-8 kg per acre |
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| Sugar cane | 10-16gm per acre | - Do - |
| Horticultural trees |
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| Gardens crops | - | 30-50gm per sq. ft |