Agricultural scientist LC Soans passes away

Mangaluru: Livingston Chandramohan (LC) Soans, internationally renowned agricultural scientist of the famed Soans Farms in Moodbidri, died on Wednesday. He was 89.Born on April 4, 1934, LC Soans was credited for introducing some of the exotic fruits and plants to the region. He was known for his contributions to agriculture and eco-friendly horticulture—eco-tourism and value-based farming.About five decades ago, Soans Farms introduced exotic tropical fruits, including mangosteen, longan, rambutan, durian, langsat, Malay apple, egg fruit, dragon fruit, diesel tree, abiu, cola nut, macadamia nut, miracle fruit, jaboticaba, to name a few. Pineapple has been the major produce at the farm since 1930s and was introduced by his father AG Soans, a pioneer 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, Mangaluru, and taught botany at MGM College, Udupi, for three years. He obtained his postgraduate degree from Madras University in 1961. Following this, he worked at Soans Farm for a year and later won a Fulbright grant to study in the USA. He earned his doctorate in Agro research from University of Montana, USA, in 1966. After this, he taught biology for a brief period there. He visited premier agricultural research centres in England and Holland. Since 1966, he worked at the farm along with his brother, IV Soans, a fruit technologist.He was also the trustee of several educational institutions and an adviser to government-run agricultural societies. He also promoted the initiative of healing without drugs by introducing: Labyrinths, Health Pyramids, Medicine Wheels and Spiral Energy.LC Soans is a recipient of several awards. He was conferred the best horticulturist award by the state government. He was also the recipient of the Alumnus Award for the year 2000 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 and four children. His funeral will be held on Friday, informed his family. Family, friends and well-wishers are expected to pay their last respects between 9am and 5pm at the residence. The funeral cortege will leave from his residence to CSI Christa Shanti Cemetery, Moodbidri at 5pm on the day, they said.
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