cap:
Farmers engaged in farming activities in Anjuna. Erwin Fonseca
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head:
Heavy rains
bring cheer
to farmers
Farmers upbeat
as heavy rains
lash Goa
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strap:
Farming picks up in Calangute, Candolim, Arpora, Anjuna
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quote:
Heavy rains at the beginning of June are a good sign. It has proved beneficial to farmers to begin their work in right earnest. Hope everything goes well and we get a good crop
Raghoba Naik, a farmer
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THE GOAN NETWORK
CALANGUTE
Incessant rains in the State since the last few days have brought cheers to the farmers in coastal areas, with many of them busy at work in their fields.
Farming activity in Calangute, Candolim, Arpora, Anjuna, Assagao and Siolim has gained momentum, with the unrelenting rains since the last few days.
“Compared to last year, the situation this year is far better as there were no rains during this time last year and people had to pray to the rain Gods,” said a farmer, Ratnakar, from Anjuna.
“Rains picked up only towards June-end last year. However, this year, the situation is far better. Good rains have enabled many farmers like me to begin field activity,” he added.
“Field work is in full flow, as the rains have proved to be a boon to us,” said Ratnakar.
Another farmer, Raghoba Naik, said good rains at the beginning of the monsoons were a good sign. "It has proved beneficial to the farmers to begin their work in right earnest. Hope everything goes well and we get a good crop," he said.
Zonal Agricultural Officer Anil Noronha was also quite optimistic about a good paddy crop this year. "It is now up to the farmers to make good use of the rains," said Noronha.
Not only the farmers, but even San Joao revellers and enthusiasts are quite upbeat about the good rains.
“Last year, the San Joao festival on June 24 went dry and many wells were not even half filled, but this year most of the wells are almost full. We hope for a cheerful festival this year,” said a San Joao enthusiast, Joseph Noronha, from Siolim.
