Daijiworld Media Network – Moodbidri

Moodbidri, Apr 5: Internationally renowned agricultural scientist Dr Livingston Chandramohan (L C) Soans, known for ‘Soans Farm’, passed away on Wednesday April 5. He was 89.

Born in 1934, Dr Soans had his basic schooling at Mission School, Jain High School and college education at St Aloysius College Mangaluru and Christian College Madras (an ancient College in Chennai). With a valuable Master’s degree from Madras University, he found it a practical to earn a doctorate in agro research from University of Montana USA, where he did a stint of teaching and rounded his education visiting prime agricultural stations in Europe.

‘Soans Farm’ excels in multiple crop combinations like coconut, pepper, and pineapple or mango, pepper and vanilla. Pineapple has been the major produce since Dr Soans’ father’s time in the early 1930s. Other produce are Cashew, Banana, Arecanut, Nutmeg, cinnamon and more. Ornamental and fruit nursery has been developed to a scientific level along with medicinal plants and herbs. To enhance the value and utility of the venture a canning factory functions which also contributes to better employment and fiscal wellbeing locally. A holiday service for students and others learners gives a golden opportunity to those interested.

Dr L C Soans had introduced several new crops in the farm that are grown in the tropical regions of the world, namely, Rambutan, Mongosteen, Durian, Longan, Langsat and Rambi from Malaysia and Thailand, Egg fruit from South America, and Macadamia nut from Australia. Dr Soans was conferred with the ‘Best Horticulturist Award’ by the government of Karnataka. He was also the recipient of Alumnus Award of the year 2000 given by the University of Montana, USA. He was the first non-American to receive the award.