MARGAO
An effort to revive around 65,000 square metres of agricultural land that had remained fallow in Sarzora for over 30 years began on Sunday, with the help of Paddy Man of Goa, Fr George Quadros.
Tractors and other machines were used in the paddy fields as part of the operation to bring the unused land back under cultivation.
Fr Quadros said the local Comunidade had taken the lead by bringing farmers together to restore the fallow fields. “We have only provided the farmers the knowhow and service. They were guided how to go about the cultivation with mechanization,” he said.
He added: “It is the farmers who have come together to revive their agricultural fields. We are only acting as service providers to the farmers. They should be independent of us in the next year or two.”
When asked, Fr Quadros said the fields were readied for sowing a few days ago. “Today, we have started sowing the paddy in the fields. We will cover the entire area admeasuring 65,000 square metres in a day or two,” he said.
Velim MLA Cruz Silva, the Zonal Agricultural Officer, panchayat members, and farming stakeholders from nearby villages also attended the programme.
