| More
Information |
|
|
| Name |
Usmanbhai Alibhai Bavra |
|
|
| Address |
Taluka Wankaner |
|
|
| District |
District Rajkot |
|
|
| State |
Gujarat |
|
|
| Category |
RENEWING OLD TIES |
|
|
| Title |
Revisiting the Innovators-II |
|
|
| Details |
Usmanbhai Alibhai Bavra
Taluka Wankaner, District Rajkot
In 2008, the Honey Bee received some herbal practices from Usmanbhai Bavra. We wanted to know if he has developed a few more practices or made any modifications in the existing ones. So, this year in January, we paid him a visit.
Usmanbhai (41) is a graduate in arts. His main source of income and joy is rearing his cattle. He owns six buffaloes and sells off the extra milk they produce. He has about eight bighas (approx. 1.3 ha) of land in which he sows cotton, wheat and bajra (Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R.Br.).
Samdhalia village
Usmanbhai’s village, Samdhalia, is about 25 km away from the town of Wankaner. It has a population of around 5000. The major social groups in the village are Muslims, Kolis, Bharwads and Vankars. Agriculture and animal husbandry are their main source of income. About 50 per cent of the villagers have concrete houses. The soil they cultivate is gravelly and reddish in colour. Groundnut, cotton, bajra and wheat are the main crops grown in the village. The village school has classes till grade seven. The village also has a gram panchayat (local self-government at the village), an aaganwadi centre (government sponsored child-care and mother-care centre) and a dispensary. Neem, baval (Acacia nilotica), eucalyptus, peepal (Ficus religiosa), Prosopis juliflora and various cacti make up the predominant flora of the village. However, during our visit, crops were seen only in those fields, which had irrigation facilities.
The village is a bit far from the main road. However, autorickshaws and chhakdas (motorcycle based three wheeled vehicles) can be used to reach here. The village has several large water tanks called hoj (derived from “hauz” in Urdu meaning ponds or tanks). However, the water scarcity is such that even these fail to cater to the water demand of the village during dry seasons. Consequently, women often have to walk about a kilometre to fetch drinking water. The village faces rampant raids of nilgais (Asian antelope). A large majority of field is lined by shiny plastic coated paper sheets or saris to keep the animals away.
Usmanbhai’s practices
Usmanbhai is known in the village for his knowledge of animal husbandry. He learnt the practices from his grandmother. He says that when he uses any formulation, he notices the gestures of an animal and based upon those, he infers which practice to apply next time.
Foot and mouth disease
Groundnut oil and powdered red chilli are mixed and applied on the affected hooves. This mixture causes burning and ‘irritation’ to the pathogen1, he explains. Farmers in his village use this practice only when the disease tends to turn epidemic in nature. Another farmer uses tobacco powder instead of chilli powder. People prefer using tobacco as unlike chilli powder, it does not cause burning or inflammation in the affected part, thus causing less discomfort to the animal. He says that the nilgai transmits this viral disease to domesticated animals. He has not modified the practice but he uses other practices, which are more soothing. For example, a camphor tablet is heated in about 200g of groundnut oil. The mixture is then allowed to cool a bit and when lukewarm, is applied on the affected hooves. This process is carried out once a day for 2-3 days. Usmanbhai says that this practice is safer and soothes the animal. It does not cause any burning sensation or discomfort like the powdered chilli method does. Others also make use of this practice and they have not modified it. He says that he prefers using groundnut oil, as there is a local oil mill from where he gets pure groundnut oil. He feels that the oils available in the market are adulterated.
The fruit pulp of a stone apple (Aegle marmelos) is taken and boiled in about one litre of water. It is cooled and applied on the affected hooves. This process is repeated for four to five days. Alternatively, the mesocarp (inner side of pericarp) of a muskmelon is rubbed on the ulcers in the animal’s mouth. Usmanbhai says that the mesocarp of the muskmelon is sweet in taste, and hence the animal lets the farmer apply it without any hassle. He also says that muskmelon is easily available and is more effective than tobacco and chilli. He still uses this practice and has not made any modifications to it.
Juice is extracted from henna leaves and poured onto the affected hooves. The leftover leaves are then made into a paste and applied to the infected region. This is done once a day for three consecutive days. Usmanbhai points out that henna has been considered pious in many religions. Women apply it onfeet to avoid cracks. They also use it
|
|
|
| Volume No. |
Honey Bee 24(2) 11, 2013 |
