PANAJI
In a novel initiative, people in Bardez and Tiswadi have started sharing information on seeds through WhatsApp so that farmers can avail of these.
A farmer from Sangolda said earlier they used to go to the Mapusa market for seeds. Now, as the market is closed, we are finding it difficult to get seeds.”
Social networking is helping people in this situation. Green activist cum journalist Fredrick Noronha and two others have formed a WhatsApp group called Saligao seed bank to share information about seeds. Besides, the group also shares valuable information on farming.
This group is helping people get traditional seeds. Avertino Miranda coordinator of Goa Green Brigade has been doing a great job of providing seeds to the people. He has provided bhendi seeds to many.
He is also providing seeds of brinjal, red amaranthus, climbing beans, brown beans, white beans, black beans, bitter gourd, sponge guard, red vaal (irvil), Malabar spinach, indravali, passion fruit, thai chilli, basil and so on.
This social networking group is helping many people to get seeds in the lockdown period.
The zonal agriculture offices are also providing seeds to the farmers.
A salt-tolerant variety of paddy (Goa Dhan 3) is made available to farmers at the Mapusa Zonal Agriculture office for just Rs 4 per Kg. Also, cucumber, bhendi, ridge gourd, bottle guard seeds were provided by the zonal agriculture office at a reasonable cost.
Besides ICAR is also providing seeds of high-yielding amaranthus, brinjal, bhindi, cluster bean, palak, radish, cowpea and corriander.
