CANACONA
Stating Goa has a huge potential, Himachal Pradesh Governor Rajendra Arlekar advocates natural farming to reduce operational costs and to obtain higher agriculture yields.
Arlekar was speaking at the concluding function of the 3-day Lokotsav-21, the third Governor, after Goa Governor Shridharan Pillai and Chhattisgarh Governor Anusuiya Uikey graced the first two days, respectively.
"There are over 10 lakh farmers in Himachal Pradesh, where I am the Governor, out of them, 1.5 lakh farmers have taken up natural farming. This natural farming (operated in the concept of land-water-air) is different to organic farming and present day's modern farming. The investment, costs in natural farming is 27.6% less, while the yield is 22% more. This type of natural farming is called SPNF (Subhash Palekar Natural Farming) which is taken up in Himachal Pradesh and is becoming popular day-by-day and more farmers are joining to make it a mass movement. I enquired whether this concept (natural farming) can be adopted by Goan farmers, and I am told that Goa is indeed a suitable place, and the Himachal Pradesh's SPNF can be easily replicated in Goa too!."
Arlekar further informed that village development doesn't mean educated village youths migrating to cities looking for white colour jobs, leaving behind the fertile land, instead, it is toiling and developing the vast fertile lands to double-up production to develop the village.
"Lokotsav, organnearlyy Adarsh Yuwa Sangh, has become a window for others for revival and depiction of the newrly forgotten tradition and culture of the tribal community. For the last 20 years, I have been closely following this Lokotsav. This year too I remained present and witnessed the traditional folk artists participation from eight States, while 12 states including Gujarat, Chattisgarh, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Himachal Pradesh, Karnataka and Arunachal Pradesh are part of the Lokotsav. Lokotsav organised by Adarsh Yuwa Sangh has become a people's festival and attended by lakhs of people from all over."
Several personalities were honoured at the hands of Arlekar, who in his speech, responding to an earlier reference, reacted that with proper and specific coaching and training and guidance, Goa will one day produce IAS personnel.
"We in Goa have the capacity and talent to change any and all equations," he said.
The traditional troupe from Himachal presented HP Governor Rajendra Arlekar with a hat and their traditional shawl.
ESG Vice-Chairman Subhash Phaldesai also spoke while SC/ST Commission Chairman Ramesh Tawadkar welcomed Goa SSC Board Chairman, Bhagirath Shetty, and OBC Mahasangh President Modhu Naik, who were earlier felicitated.
Minister of State for Tourism and Ports Shripad Naik, Adarsh Yuwa Sangh executive members Ashok Velip, Damodar Velip, Sanjay Tawadkar, Shrikant Tawadkar, besides Balram Education Society Headmistress Savita Tawadkar were also present.
