A Movement Gaining Ground

Speaking at the conference, Tamilmaran, Coordinator of Cauvery Calling, noted that awareness of tree-based agriculture has grown significantly among farmers through the movement, leading to a sharp rise in sapling demand from Cauvery Calling nurseries. He shared that this model improves soil fertility, water retention, river health, and farmer incomes.

In a notable policy update, Tamilmaran revealed that at a recent agricultural conference in Hosur, Cauvery Calling had requested Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan to officially rename "Agroforestry" as "Tree-Based Agriculture." The Minister accepted the request and announced the change — a sign of growing recognition of tree-based agriculture among both farmers and policymakers.

Science Backing the Soil

Dr. Selvarajan, Director of the National Research Centre for Banana, spoke about how excessive chemical fertilizer use has degraded soil health and reduced productivity over time, making tree-based agriculture essential for the future. He also announced a new banana variety developed by the centre, named "Cauvery" — a sucrose-free variety suitable for diabetic patients — and pointed out that farmers can further boost their incomes through banana value-added products.

Bala Mohan spoke on the potential of food forests within coconut plantations, explaining that a large portion of land in a typical one-acre coconut farm remains underutilized. This space, he said, can be used for food forests and multi-layer, multi-crop cultivation — making optimal use of sunlight while improving soil organic carbon and microbial activity. According to him, this approach gives farmers a reliable additional income stream.

A Farmer's Journey to the United Nations

One of the most moving moments of the day came from UN award-winning farmer Valluvan, who shared his personal journey. He recalled that when Cauvery Calling first introduced tree-based agriculture to him, he was growing only coconut and had little confidence in the idea. With guidance from the movement on building soil organic matter, he gradually transformed his farm. Today, Valluvan cultivates 14 different crops within his coconut farm — including mango, jackfruit, banana, sapota, nutmeg, and pepper — and expressed his gratitude to Isha and Sadhguru for the journey that took him from being an ordinary farmer in Coimbatore to receiving recognition at the United Nations.

Expert Knowledge and Hands-On Learning

Scientists from four agricultural research institutions, including the ICAR–National Institute of Horticultural Research, presented technical guidance on cultivation practices, market opportunities, and crop management for mango, jackfruit, and avocado. Experts from the National Institute of Food Technology Entrepreneurship and Management (NIFTEM), Thanjavur, explained technologies for value addition and marketing of fruit products.

Progressive farmers from five states also shared their first-hand experiences. Ramana Reddy from Anantapur, Andhra Pradesh, spoke about successfully cultivating apples in the plains — a feat not traditionally associated with the region's climate. Agricultural scientist Saravanan presented technologies for profitable papaya cultivation, while former Deputy Director of Agriculture, Haridas, showcased more than 100 jackfruit varieties along with their unique characteristics. A major highlight of the day was the participation of Padma Shri Kaleem Ullah Khan, popularly known as India's "Mango Man," celebrated for growing 300 mango varieties on a single tree. He shared his decades of experience and the strategies behind his remarkable success in mango cultivation.

A Celebration of Biodiversity

The accompanying exhibition was a vibrant showcase of South India's fruit diversity, featuring more than 60 banana varieties and over 100 varieties each of mango and jackfruit. Saplings of mango, jackfruit, avocado, apple, and several other fruit trees were made available at subsidized prices, drawing enthusiastic participation from farmers and visitors throughout the day.

Looking Ahead

The overwhelming turnout — farmers and citizens alike — reflects a growing public consciousness around soil health, sustainable farming, and the role each of us can play in restoring it. As Cauvery Calling continues to expand its reach across the Cauvery basin, events like this one serve as both a celebration of progress and a call to action for the work still ahead.