Oldest farmer awaits you here!

Second day of expo draws huge crowd

Termite, a small insect existing from the past 30 million years is that oldest farmer predating human beings who began cultivation 10 million years ago. Termite plays a major role in the formation of fungus that develops into a mushroom in the final stage, Abol Fazl from Iran currently a research scholar at UoM, told Deccan Herald.

If you want to understand what makes the termite oldest farmer, a chart with plethora of information gives you all, adds Fazl, to the convenience of the visitors who were drawn to the cement made mushrooms site adorned with a banner- Who is the oldest farmer?
Dr G R Janardhan of the department says it has become inevitable to create awareness about the conservation of mushroom, that is unscientifically being removed by the farmers.

Abundantly found in Kushalnagar in Kodagu district, you can see farmers in that place selling the same for a song. Most of them are unaware of its medicinal value, besides its significance. If you see any termite hills that resembles anthills in an agricultural field, it is the symbol of fertile rich land, he adds.

Move further, you, especially women will be happy to know that they can turn kitchen waste into an useful manure that helps grow vegetables. Called ‘Kitchen Garden’, it’s the concept of another research scholar Vidya Bharathi. Brown matter usually referred to dried leaves falling from the trees, and green matter (vegetable waste) are mixed with water, cowdung and other wastes in ‘Bio-digester’, says Bharathi showing at the plastic barrel. It takes nearly 15 days for the naturally made liquid manure to be released out to grow vegetables, harvesting out of waste. Another research scholar Anilkumar R strongly advocates for organic farming that is being practiced now by interested farmers. Also a group of girls, who voice for ‘spirula’ micro algae that is powdered in  the later stage for making several products.

The Department of Zoology has a ‘Zoo inside’- from insects to pisces, fishes to endangered wild animals, you have all. Dead animals of types have come alive in the form of taxidermy, adorning the central space on the premises, making it a virtual forest.

For human reproduction too, you have a section that gives you even the minute details.
Types of chutney, the advantages and disadvantages of utensils followed by a demonstration makes it crystal clear, at Food and Nutrition Department. Department of Human Development offers the functioning of pre-school, the recent addition of the varsity. Next to it, is a section that has ‘visual cliffing’. “Any toddler starting from the age of four months can presume danger”, tells a student.

The second day of ‘Suvarna Manasa Expo 2011’ organised on the occasion of 50 years of Manasagangothri, received hordes of visitors on Wednesday. Parents accompanying kids enthusiastically visited each and every departments giving a patient hearing to the students.

The exhibition remains open up to February 22, between 2 pm and 8 pm.