PONDA
Efforts by the staff of Zonal Agriculture Office (ZAO) at Dharbandora have borne fruits, as 20-odd farmers from the area have shown interest in taking up mechanised farming.
On Sunday, the farmers gave up their traditional manual farming, and for the very first time, this taluka witnessed farming using ‘rice transplanter', which transplanted rice seedlings into paddy field.
The 2.56 lakh sq mt land at Shivalla-Kullana in Daucona-Dharbandora, 20 kms away from here, was barren when mining business was booming in the belt. About 102 farmers did not cultivate the land for almost 15 years, as they faced a problem in undertaking farming activities due to mining slag flowing into their fields.
But after the suspension of mining, there was no slag and other obstruction to rejuvenate this large field. Some who were dependent on mining had no option than to keep their feet in fields. Those who wanted to cultivate their piece of land, but were not able due to slag, are now happy that they can bring back the glory of the village. Now, almost half of this land is under cultivation.
Speaking to The Goan, Jayashree Velip (47) from the area said she is very happy that ZAO persuaded them to opt for mechanized farming.
“It's really interesting that within no time rice seedlings were transplanted in the field. If this was done manually, it would have taken at least four days. Here, I am saving money too, as wages of labourers are over Rs 800 per day,” she said.
Santosh Gaonkar, assistant agriculture officer attached to ZAO Dharbandora, said that since last two months their team was trying to persuade farmers to opt for mechanized farming.
“Our staff comprising Diksha Naik, Priti Naik and Ankita Mopkar under the branch of Agriculture Technical Management Agency (ATMA) with our guidance were persuading the farmers and they have succeeded in their efforts. It is for the first time that such a technology is used in Dharbandora's fields,” he said.
“Rice seedling transplant cost them Rs 1.40 for one sq mt, inclusive cost of seeds and labour. We give them 50 per cent subsidy,” he added.
Diksha Naik said initially, farmers were not even ready to listen. “However, we managed to persuade 20 farmers with the support of our seniors. Hope rest of the farmers too opt it,” she said.
Farmers from Tatodi, Dabal, Dauconn, Codli Tisk and Ambe in Dharbandora and Dabal Panchayat jurisdiction have their fields in this 2.56 lakh sq mt land.
Agriculture department staff Saish Desai, Prakash Malshekar and Neetesh Gaonkar were present on the occasion. Besides, Dharbandora sarpanch Vinayak alias Balaji Gawas, former sarpanch Kalidas Maynekar and local Panch Guru Gaonkar were also present.
Fr George Quadros, project director Don Bosco Society, who drove the transplanter in the field, said peoples' wish of a variety of rice they wanted is now fulfilled. “If they tell us the variety they want, we make it possible for them. We prepare the rolls of rice seed saplings and transplant it,” he said.
“I saw this automated machine at an exhibition organised at Pragati Maidan Delhi. Then, I wanted to introduce it in Goa, as our farmers are giving up farming,” he added.
