the goan I network
MARGAO
With the help of his imported paddy transplanter and cooperation from farmers and the agriculture department, Fr Quadros has infused life in the soil which was lying barren for all these years. Around 40 acres of fallow fields and around 1.60 lakh square meters of land have been brought under cultivation. Fr Quadros, the farmers and the agricultural department have now set an ambitious target of bringing around two-lakh square meters of agricultural land under paddy cultivation next year.
When The Goan team visited Seraulim on Tuesday morning, Fr Quadros was seen driving the transplanter to bring a new area under paddy cultivation in the presence of farmers and agricultural officials.
When asked what brought him to Seraulim around a year ago, Fr Quadros said, “The people and farmers of the village came together and decided since they could not manage the fields let someone, take over. Now after 20 years, the fields are back to life thanks to the transplanter. It would have been a different story without the tansplanter and the goodwill of the people.”
“This year, I will cultivate the fields. Farmers who have seen the operation this year are free to take back their fields next year. We are here in the village to bring a change. We will give the technology to the farmers next year. I am happy that people of Seraulim are coming forward,” he added.
Fr Quadros said agriculture and paddy cultivation can take a big leap if the government comes out with a program in specific villages and by backing service providers like him financially. “The cost of the imported transplanter today costs Rs 12 lakh. The government provides 75 per cent subsidy. The transplanter can do wonders if the government increases the subsidy to 90 per cent,” he added.
A local villager Cristina Rebello exuded confidence that Fr Quadros and his transpanter will bring about the desired change in agriculture in Seraulim.
Assistant Director, Shivanand Wagle thanked Fr Quadros for his bold initiative by importing the transplanter, which has already brought 40 acres of fallow land in Seraulim under paddy cultivation, while Zonal Agricultural Officer, Salcete, Dattatray Pandit, expressed confidence that more farmers from the village will come forward to realise the dream of achieving the target of bringing two lakh square meters of fallow land under cultivation next year.
Making a fervent plea to the farmers to avail benefits under the mechanisation programme, mechanical cultivation officer, Anthony Rego, said no other state gives so much subsidy on mechanization.
“Farmers can avail subsidy on transplantation. If the farmers pays Rs 5,600 for transplantation, he gets back Rs 2,800 as subsidy from the government,” Rego said.
