MARGAO
Encouraged by the success of last year's initiative to revive long-abandoned agricultural fields, farmers in Nuvem have resolved to bring nearly 45,000 square metres of fallow land under cultivation durng the current kharif season.
Building on the momentum created by the community-led effort, the farmers have begun transplanting the Jaya variety of paddy, signalling a renewed commitment to restoring agricultural activity in the village after years of neglect.
A visit to the fields revealed mechanised paddy transplanters operating continuously as farmers raced against time to complete transplantation following the delayed arrival of the southwest monsoon. The use of modern farming equipment has helped speed up operations and reduce dependence on manual labour, allowing larger tracts of land to be cultivated within a shorter period.
Local resident Everson Vales said that although the farming season got off to a slightly delayed start due to the late monsoon, the enthusiasm among farmers remains high. "Farmers are a little late this year because of the delay in the rains, but everyone is determined to bring these fields back under cultivation," Vales said.
He recalled that the fields had remained uncultivated for nearly a decade owing to various challenges, including labour shortages, changing occupations and declining interest in traditional farming. "Last year, we made a modest beginning by reviving some of the fallow fields. The success of that effort has encouraged many more landowners and farmers to join the initiative this season. It is heartening to see more people volunteering to revive agriculture. This is a positive sign for the village, and the credit goes entirely to the farmers who have come forward to cultivate their land once again," he added.
