MARGAO
Tractors descended at the Salpem lake, Navelim on Thursday as farmers along with Fr George Quadros, the Paddy Man of Goa, set a target to bring 2.5 lakh square metres of fallow paddy fields under cultivation this season.
As many as four mechanical tractors worked over time to prepare the fields for the ensuing season as farmers and members of the Goencho Xetkar witnessed the activity at Salpem, which was once abandoned by the farmers after the fields were devastated by the rampant discharge of sewage from neighbouring Margao.
“It’s a milestone”, remarked Fr George Quadros as he spoke to the media as the mechanised operations started at the Salpem lake on Thursday. “This year, we are increasing the land under cultivation at Saplem to make Goa greener and more beautiful. We are also honouring the Creator, who has given us the land for our needs and not for our greed,” he said.
Fr Quadros said that their initiative last year had brought around 1.16 lakh square metres under cultivation. “We are confident that we will bring around two lakh square metres of land under cultivation. Our target is around 2.5 lakh square metres,” he said, exuding confidence of achieving the target since the activity has commenced right on time.
President of the Salpem Farmers Association Prof Antonio Alvares told the media that as many as four tractors have been deployed at the Salpem fields to prepare the fields for the ensuing season. “We are confident that the farmers will get double the success this year compared to last year.
