Dr Livingston Chandramohan (LC) Soans, an internationally renowned agricultural scientist passed away yesterday. He was 89 and was well-known for Soans Farms in Moodbidri.
Born on April 4, 1934, LC Soans is credited with the introduction of exotic plants and fruits to the region.
He was renowned for his contribution to horticulture and agriculture especially eco-friendly horticulture, eco-tourism, and value-based cultivation.
Soans Farms introduced exotic tropical fruits about five decades ago including varieties like longan, durian, rambutan, mangosteen, malay apple, langsat, dragon fruit, egg fruit, cola nut, diesel tree, abiu, macadamia nut, jaboticaba, miracle fruit to name a few.
Since the 1930s, Pineapple has been the major yield at the farm and was introduced by his father AG Soans, a pioneered horticulturist.
Soans completed his basic schooling at Mission School and Jain High School, Moodbidri.
He graduated in botany from Madras Christian College. Later, he obtained a degree in teaching from Government Training College in Mangaluru and for three years taught botany at MGM College in Udupi.
In 1961, he obtained his postgraduate degree from Madras University.
After this, he worked at Soans Farm for a year and later won a Fullbright grant to study in the USA.
In 1966, he earned his doctorate in Agro research from the University of Montana, USA. After which he took up teaching biology for a brief period here.
He visited premier agricultural research centres in England and Holland. He worked at the farm since 1966 along with his brother, I V Soans, a fruit technologist.
He was also the trustee of various educational institutions and an adviser to government-run agricultural societies. He also promoted the initiative of healing without drugs by introducing: Health Pyramids, Labyrinths, Medicine Wheels, and Spiral Energy.
LC Soans is a recipient of several awards. He was conferred with the best horticulturist award by the State government.
For the year 2000, he was also the recipient of the Alumnus Award given by the University of Montana, USA, thus being the first non-American to receive the honour.
He started Alfred Soans Foundation to create awareness about farming.
Soans is survived by his wife, four children, and his brother I V Soans.
