Living a green dream at 73

Giving birth to green life and nurturing it is not a mere passion but pure devotion for him and he is following it religiously. Meet Laban Rosario de Souza, 73. Having made up his mind to grow his own food once he gets some free time, Laban immediately and consciously (re)turned to his roots after his retirement from United Breweries in 2005.
"As an investment for my old age, I had purchased this farm long before I retired from my 9-5 job. I used to spend my weekends here, planting trees so that they mature by the time I take up a farmer's avatar. My plan succeeded and here I am surrounded by so many trees - offering me fruits, flowers, spices, herbs and medicines. I am a blessed man," states this son of the soil, his face all lit with a childlike smile.
Of the many variety of plants that he cultivates, Laban's organic farm at Kirbhat- Nuvem has around 100 graviola trees and while he sells its much-in-demand fruits which is believed to cure cancer, he offers leaves free to those who can't afford to buy the fruit. "These leaves can also be used for preparing concoction," he discloses. Apart from this, he grows Vitior grass that is a cure for jaundice and noni fruit too, which is known for its health benefits. There is also the sacred bel tree, the leaves of which are offered to Lord Shiva. The six types of local varieties of bananas he grows are red, velchi, Moira, saldati, rospali and mitpati.
This science graduate embraced the role of a full-time farming in the second inning of his life, having played various roles as chemist, brewer and a quality manager. But though he took to farming after he retired, it was always at the back of his mind ever since he was a child. "It was my mother who noticed my love for gardening. When I as a kid I used to help her plant and weed in our garden. She had predicted then, that someday I would take up farming on a big way. And here I am, living up to her words growing my own food,"says Laban.
Today he is a happy farmer and a most busy one, cultivating his 30,000 sq mt land. His day begins early - and he enjoys working, sometimes spending even 12 hours a day, personally toiling in the soil though he has assistants. This septuagenarian prefers to keep himself pre-occupied even at this age. "And actually that's what keeps him going strong," his family and friends vouch.
Believing in organic farming, Laban uses organic fertilisers and homemade manure. He has composting unit and vermin-culture unit too. Following the mantra of ‘eating healthy, living healthy' he displays an all-inclusive approach, including others in his organic concept. Laban is content to leave 25 per cent of whatever he grows in his farm for birds and animals and another 15 per cent for the common people to steal or rob. That leaves him with 65 per cent of the produce of juicy, organic fruits and vegetables - which is more than sufficient for his entire family to consume, he says.
Whatever extra remains, is supplied to the market or sold - to those health conscious people who drop by his (animal) farm to pick up his farm fresh fruits, vegetables, eggs and freshwater fish. Yes, the farm has hens, ducks, rabbits, goats, birds and even fish. In fact, a freshwater stream which flows through his farm proves to quite a boon for him and a little water is diverted into a pond for silver fish, katla, rovu, tilapia, sea bass etc to grow. Another artificial tank stands to breed cat fish to display during the church festivals. Laban has many visiting students from schools and colleges who come and study the ecology and symbiotic relationship of man, nature, plants, birds and animals.
Though both Laban's sons, Owen and Kevin work abroad, Kevin has expressed interest in carrying forward his father's legacy sometime in the near future.
"Don't waste land, if you have some. Utilise it to grow your own food. Produce organically grown fruits and vegetables. Live healthy,"advises the organic farmer to his fellow Goans. Even a small piece of land is green gold, he believes. Eager to offer valuable tips to anyone who approaches him for guidance, Laban has been the winner of umpteen awards for the fruits/vegetables he produces in his organic farm. An active participant in Konkan Fruit Festival, Laban has also received many rewards and recognitions.

What the farm offers
Nutmeg, cardamom, cinnamon, black pepper, betel leaves, areca nuts, coconuts, bull heart, love apples, two types of passion fruits, star fruits, adam's fruit, pomelo, chickoo, sapota, many types of mangoes, six types of bananas, jambool, jagma, velvet apples, jackfruits, avocados, pineapples, Israeli oranges, lychees, figs, graviola, cherries, seasonal vegetables like onions, lime, lemons, chilies, drum sticks, sweet potatoes, breadfruit, sweet and sour kokum, sweet and sour ambade, amla and medicinal herbs like holy basil (tulsi), lemongrass, brahmi, bel, vanilla and medicinal fruits like noni and graviola (soursop or Laxman phal). Greenhouse growing anthuriums and other flowering plants are also grown, potted and sold.

=====