VASCO
When a group of youth Chicalim toiled on Friday to till a puddled field with the tractor and help in transplanting activity by loading young rice seedlings on a rice transplanter, they were taking the ‘Agricultural Revival Challenge’ to cultivate 20,000 sq. mtrs of a field lying fallow for 25 years.
The Chicalim Youth Farmers Club was formed with the vision to revive agriculture and be connected to the roots of nature.
On July 30, with the mechanical support of the agro group ‘Goenche Xetkar’ mentored by Fr George Quadros, the Chicalim Youth Farmers Club completed their transplanting activity.
The club members, guided by local farmer Rui da Costa Araujo, got to work early morning from tilling the puddled field with the tractor, clearing some leftover weeds and later helping in the transplanting activity by loading the young rice seedlings on the rice transplanter.
The club members along with their mentors were pleased as the field which was fallow for the past 25 years had now turned into a field neatly transplanted. They are now geared up for the post-transplant activity and hope for a plentiful harvest.
“I enjoyed the ride on the transplanter and watching it work. It was a fascinating experience overall,” said Ana Smriti Paes, a student at GMC.
“I really appreciate the work of Goenche Xetkar, as they were helpful and professional. Their initiative of speeding up the tedious task of transplanting invites the busy youth of today to take up farming, at least on the side.”
Alisha Pereira, a science teacher at Regina Mundi School, admitted she had never seen this field patch cultivated since her childhood.
“The fallow land was still for the past 25years, but today it is back on track, revived and all green and being a part of this revival challenge feels great. With mechanised farming at hand we can do a lot of work in short period of time. Well it was a wow experience....watching the transplanter work...I got a ride too....” said Pereira.
Added CYFC President Valerie Afonso: “Honestly, it should have a been proud moment for me. Reviving agriculture after almost 20-25yrs! But looking at the limited response from our youth, which was below my expectation, I only hope we will be able to sustain ourselves.”
Chicalim Parish Priest and CYFC mentor Fr Bolmax Pereira said the youth worked against all odds posed by incessant rains, fallow land and paucity of labour.
“Finally, the young and upcoming farmers, who are first-timers, have managed to seriously kickstart the challenge to revive agriculture. As we go forward, we expect more interest to be created among our youth and our farms to produce abundantly,” said Fr Pereira.
The CYFC now wants the public to take up community farming, which comprises a group of small and marginal farmers who work together on under-utilised lands and earn a living.
