Against the backdrop of a lack of cultivation of fields in villages like Mandur, Parish Priest of Our Lady of Amparo Church, Fr Manuel Gomes stated that the harvest festival is losing its significance in recent times.
Fr Gomes highlighted his concerns while delivering the homily at the festival mass on Thursday. Later speaking to The Goan, Fr Gomes said the harvest festival was celebrated to bless the produce of the fields.
“However, today only some area (bhandi) is specially cultivated so that the harvest can then be blessed at the harvest festival. So, there’s no meaning in celebrating the festival. Only if people get back to cultivation will the harvest festival regain its significance,” he added.
When questioned whether he sees a possibility of people getting back to the fields, Fr Gomes expressed hope that in the future, it could happen as the weather patterns are changing.
“With the weather patterns changing, people could return to cultivating fields, growing trees and maintaining the greenery,” Fr Gomes added. Meanwhile, in his homily the priest also made a mention about the efforts taken by St Andre MLA in reviving agriculture in the constituency.
