Photo Credits: Himalaya Drug Company harvests first herbal crop at Sada jail
The aim of the exercise was to train inmates at Sada and Colvale Jail on cultivating medicinal herbs to rehabilitate them into mainstream society on completion of their jail term
VASCO
It is not a usual location to grow medicinal crops, but the Himalaya Drug Company (HDC) had a specific purpose when it harvested its first herbal crop of Alfalfa and Tulshi cultivated at Sada sub-jail in Mormugao.
The aim of the exercise was to train inmates at Sada and Colvale jails on cultivating medicinal herbs to rehabilitate them into mainstream society on completion of their jail term.
Officials of HDC in the presence of IG Prison Elvis Gomes, assistant jail superintendent of Sada sub-jail Banudas Pednekar, jail inmates and other jail officials on Tuesday harvested the first herbal crop of Alfalfa and Tulshi cultivated at Sada sub-jail, Mormugao.
The company's agriculturist, Vinod Kumar, who was involved in imparting training and technical support to the inmates, was also present on the occasion.
According to Ramsan M, the company's executive (corporate communication), the company had signed an MoU with the Inspectorate General of Prisons Goa on November 25, 2015, to train inmates at Sada and Colvale jails on cultivating high yielding herbs with an aim to rehabilitate them into mainstream society once their jail term ends.
“As part of the MoU, the programme was launched over an acre of land in two prisons and the company provided seeds and technical know-how to the prison inmates. After careful analysis of the soil, geography and climatic conditions, Neem, Kalmegh, Tulsi and Alfalfa have been chosen for the programme,” informed Ramsan.
“Initially, the inmates will cultivate the herb, alfalfa, as it can be planted any time during the year and produces high yield over a short period of time. The rest of the herbs will then be slowly incorporated into the programme, providing the inmates with monthly income and necessary skills that can enable them to earn livelihood, once their prison term ends,” said Ramsan.
Addressing the inmates and other prison officials, Gomes said Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar took the initiative of farming herbal plants at Sada and Colvale jails.
“This training will provide immense opportunity to the inmates once they complete their term and start a fresh life. The HDC will issue certificates to all the inmates of Sada sub-jail, which will come handy,” said Gomes.
“Nowadays, prisons are no more called prisons, but a correction home where the person is corrected and imparted education and other training to start a new life.”
Speaking to The Goan, Vinod Kumar said the company encourages contract farming and a minimum of one acre of land is needed for this purpose.
“The company provides all support, right from soil and water testing to technical knowledge, seeds packaging material and transportation.”
Commenting on the buyback policy, Kumar said: “The company pays Rs 40 per kg for the Tulshi crop and Rs 20 per kg for the Alfalfa crop. Tulshi is used in multi-herbal products, while Alfalfa is used in fairness creams and animal products,” he added.
An inmate, Vilhas Gavrav, claimed that many youth take to crimes due to lack of job opportunities and requested officials of HDC to support them once they finish their term and start a new life.
GU plans to start water harvesting at both jails: Gomes
VASCO: Inspector General of Prisons Elvis Gomes has stated that jail authorities at Sada and Colvale along with the Earth and Science Department at Goa University plans to start water harvesting to meet the water scarcity problem at both jails in Sada and Colvale.
“Plans are also afoot to install solar energy at both the jails with the help of Goa Energy Development Authority,” said Gomes.
Commenting on the academic interests among inmates, Gomes added: “About 30 inmates completed their post graduation and around 75 are pursuing further studies, besides other training programmes at the jail.”
