Farmers are rushing to prepare their fields for sowing, ploughing through moist khazan and low‘lying lands, as the first monsoon clouds hover over Goan skies, marking the start of a crucial cycle for the agrarian community.
Despite concerted efforts of the agriculture department, many cultivators continue to rely on traditional methods using bullocks to pull wooden ploughs through flooded fields, and transplanting paddy seedlings by hand.
Rajesh Naik, a farmer from Bicholim said mechanised ploughing does help, but his field is secluded and tractors have no access.
Agriculture officials acknowledge the persistence of tradition but point to a steady shift.
“The number of farmers transitioning to mechanised methods is growing. Tractors and mechanical transplanters are being used wherever feasible,” said a senior official of the Agriculture Department.
He admitted that small landholdings and difficult terrain often limit mechanisation, forcing farmers to stick to manual practices.
Another agriculture officer based in South Goa said, the timely arrival of the monsoon has brought relief.
“Farmers can now begin sowing paddy without fear of delay. Seeds and fertilizers are stocked at centers across talukas,” he said.
Traditionally, paddy seeds are sown ahead of the rains, with saplings transplanted once fields are mildly water-logged.
Zonal Agricultural Officers (ZAOs) and their staff hand‘hold farmers through this crucial season, offering weather updates, crop health advice, and support for seed and fertilizer subsidies.
Goa’s farming community cultivates over 23,000 hectares with paddy during the kharif season, producing more than one lakh tonnes in a good year.
Last year, however, extreme weather and flooding reduced output to 77,769 tonnes.
“We are hedging our bets on a more favourable monsoon this year despite the prediction of the El Nino effect. If conditions hold, we could surpass the 1.1 lakh tonnes achieved in 2023‘24,” said another official.
He said, the Agriculture Department is also focussing on creating awareness among the farming community about crop insurance schemes to protect against losses.
“We want paddy cultivators to feel secure. Agriculture is the backbone of rural Goa,” the official said.
Farmers share the optimism but remain cautious as weather and climate events remain beyond their control.
“We wait for this season all year. The land feels alive again,” said Suresh Gaonkar from Bironda, cautioning that last year they were forced to re‘sow due to an unfavourable monsoon.
"We hope the monsoon stays steady when it comes in the next couple of days.” Gaonkar said.
