2.50 hectares of agri land to be brought under irrigation
Sanquelim Municipal Council Chairperson Siddi Porob inaugurating the community farming initiative at Karekhajan, Virdi, along with local Councillor Anjali Kamat and others.
BICHOLIM
A significant step towards strengthening community farming was taken at Karekhajan, Virdi, with the launch of a comprehensive irrigation and land development initiative that will directly benefit 90 farmers in the area.
Under the project, approximately 2.50 hectares of agricultural land will be brought under irrigation, ensuring improved water management and enhanced paddy cultivation.
The primary objective of the project is to prevent saline water from entering paddy fields during the monsoon season through nearby nullahs.
Saline intrusion has been a persistent challenge for farmers in the region, affecting crop yield and soil quality. By cleaning and desilting the existing Poi/nullahs and implementing proper water diversion systems, the initiative aims to safeguard farmland and boost agricultural productivity.
The project was formally inaugurated with a Bhumi Pooja ceremony. Present on the occasion were Sanquelim Municipal Council Chairperson Siddi Porob, Assistant Engineer Vinod Bhandari from the Water Resources Department (WRD), Subhash Malik, local Councillor Anjali Kamat, Govind Avkhale, Dhaku Naik, Arjun Kamat, Salelkar, and a large number of farmers from Virdi and surrounding areas.
As part of the initiative, the WRD has undertaken the repair of the bund and sluice gate to strengthen water control infrastructure.
WRD Assistant Engineer Vinod Bhandari informed that these repairs will ensure proper regulation of water flow, prevent saline intrusion during heavy rains, and improve overall irrigation efficiency.
The initiative aligns with efforts of Chief Minister and Sanquelim MLA Pramod Sawant to promote group farming schemes across his Sanquelim constituency. Similar projects have already been implemented in Surla, Amona, Nhaveli, Kudne, and other areas.
Under the group farming scheme, farmers are eligible for up to 90 per cent government subsidy along with various concessions and technical support.
The chief minister has emphasised that such initiatives will accelerate green revolution in the state by bringing fallow land under cultivation and enhancing farmers’ income.
Chairperson Siddi Porob welcomed the project and stated that community farming would help revive unused agricultural land while providing economic stability to local farmers.
The Karekhajan-Virdi project is being seen as a positive and forward-looking step toward rural agricultural development, improved irrigation infrastructure, and long-term sustainability for farming communities in the region.
