Soans Farm is located about 40 KM from Mangalore on National Highway 13 in Karnataka, South India. Kudremukh National Park and Agumbe, the last known habitats for the highly endangered Lion Tailed macaques and the great pied hornbill are just a few kilometers away. Soans Farm has developed over years as a centre for innovative agriculture. Traditional agriculture in this area was restricted to the valleys with perennial water supply for crops like Areca nut, Coconut, Banana and Rice. An attempt was made in 1926 to bring into useful cultivation hilly areas and non forested grasslands dependent only on the seasonal monsoon rains for water supply.
Multiple cropping of Coconut, Pepper, Pineapple at Soans Farm
Basel Mission, a Swiss-German missionary organisation, ventured into this pilot agricultural project under the leadership of Rev. Fischer, a missionary based in Karkala. Alfred Soans, a young agricultural graduate was employed in 1928 to vigorously pursue the project. Because of the shallow soil over the laterite beds and the lack of irrigation, the initial coconut plantation did not prosper.
Soans brought in many innovations like intercropping with several new crops like Pineapple which saved the situation. The low price of agricultural produce and the start of the Second World War were a great set back. The Germans who became enemies of the then British rulers had to leave. The local church, which became the custodian of the farm could not support it and planned to sell the land. Soans who had put in a lot of effort, prevailed on the church to save the farm. Eventually he was given charge of the farm on a lease.
After 1947 and the country’s independence, the agricultural situation improved. Further innovations like farm mechanization and improved irrigation practices made possible the expansion of the farm from 46 acres to nearly a hundred acres. Agriculture was further diversified and more new crops suited to the land, climate and the market were introduced. While Pineapple continued to be a major crop, crops like Mango, Sapota, Pepper, Cinnamon, Nutmeg, Cocoa, Cashew nut, Coconut, rambutan, mangosteen and Vanilla made possible year round utilization of the land, and further employment opportunities for the local population.
At present the farm is managed by the two sons of Alfred Soans, Dr. L.C. Soans, a Botanist who studied in the U.S.A. under a Fulbright grant and Mr. I.V. Soans, a fruit technologist. Horticultural development is further strengthened by a Nursery section and a Fruit processing plant. The cropping pattern has evolved into a multistoried mixed cropping, ecologically sustainable model, for visiting farmers from around the country. It has also become a popular destination for foreign tourists, to see the variety of spices and medicinal plants.
The commercially available product in the farm are Pineapple, Coconut, Pepper, Mango, Guava, Nutmeg, Cinnamon, Cardamom, Nutmeg, Mace, Vanilla, Banana, Rambutan, Mangosteen, Durian, Barbados cherry, Surinam cherry, Passion fruit, Cocoa, Bamboo, Jack fruit, Rangoon Cherry, Star apple, Star fruit, Rose apple, Custard apple, Egg fruit, Mulberry, Allspice, Clove, Cashew nut, Breadfruit, Butter fruit, Gooseberry, Yam, Arecanut, Coffee and different varieties of ornamental and fruit Plants. Processed pure juice of fruits are also available.
Other projects include an agricultural and rural crafts Museum, a four acre Arboretum representing many of the Western Ghat's ( one in eighteen bio diversity hotspots of the world) flora of economic importance and section of the farm devoted to organic farming. A unit of the farm is now set up in the western ghats at the elevation of 800 meters to test many of the introduced species along with traditional crops like coffee, cardamom and areca nut.
Glimpse Of The Past :Dr. Soans Industrious nature does not end with farming. He has established a museum which contains over 50 samples of wood and a good collection of age old farm implements, artistic mud pots, dudi, a traditional musical instrument and even a 50 year old tractor. The museum gives a glimpse of the traditional agricultural practices that were in vogue about a century ago. It has a good collection of books related to agriculture. Nestling close to the Moodbiri Jain Temples. Soans farm has thus become a good spot for tourists to visit. Dr.Soans and his family members greet them with smiles and show them around the farm with pride.
The Pyramid :
A curious feature at the entrance of Soans Farm is a pyramid in the midst of a variety of ornamental plants. This Dr. Soans says, " is the place where we can sit, relax and have mental peace. This structure has some healing effect on the body".
Awards
Soans was recently awarded the distinguished alumnus award of the University of Montana, USA where he had studied.
We at Sloth Bear Foundation invite you to enjoy farm holidays at the Soans Farm with warm and comfortable stay in serene, green environs away from pressures of modern living... Indulge in farm fresh food and capture the thrill of open outdoors. Dr Soans and his family will be your hosts and guides.
The Sloth Bear Foundation is a non-profit, self-reliant and independent organization registered as a trust. Participation in tours and expeditions contributes the needed money to fund the SBF conservation and rehabilitation projects.
Location : 40Kms from Mangalore on the Mangalore-Sholapur National Highway-13.
Distance : 380 kms from Bangalore. 300 kms from Goa, 359Kms from Cochin.
Package cost : 75 $ per day per person, includes accommodation in a luxury resort on a twin sharing basis, welcome drink , lunch, evening tea with snacks, dinner, morning tea & breakfast.
Length of stay : There is no limit on the length of stay.
Accommodation : Resort accommodation with a capacity for 4 persons( Photo shown below).
Activities included in the package : Tractor ride, village visit, Bird watching, vegetable and fruit farming, watch milking cows, visit other farms nearby, Cycling, trekking, long distance walk, dowsing, village arts & crafts, visit the 15th century Gomateshwar monolithic statue at Karkala . the 1000 pillar Jain temple at Moodbidri, and Kambala( a water buffalo race where more than a hundred pairs of buffalos and a few thousand spectators participate )
Activities on demand and extra charges : Visit to Kudremukh National Park and Someshwar Wildlife Sanctuary . Bird watching at the National Park and wildlife Sanctuary, Beach visits at Malpe, Ullal, Panambur and Thaneerbhavi near Mangalore. Trekking at the twin peaks of Konaje. Visits to the 13th century temples at Sringeri, Hornadu, Kollur Mookambika, Udupi Krishna temple. Visit the coffee and tea plantations at Kalasa, and Chikmangalur .
Note : Sales Tax wherever applicable will be extra
The resort is double-bed.
Laundry services can be availed at an extra cost.
Rates are subject to change and can be revised without prior notice.
|
