MARGAO
This seafarer from Benaulim, who made forays into agriculture during the Covid pandemic, has emerged as a progressive farmer over the last two years.
Since his return home during the Covid pandemic, Raymond Costa has bid adieu to seafaring. Instead, he has returned to the agricultural fields cultivated by his parents and ancestors over the years.
Raymond has not only made progress in the fields by going for a second crop but has now made forays into black rice cultivation and organic farming.
“After cultivating the fields for paddy, we tried to go for the second crop, which was successful. Now, we have gone in for black rice cultivation with the help and guidance from Gaspar Fernandes, a resident of Anjuna,” he said.
Raymond added: “The Krishi Vikas Kendra and the Margao Zonal Agriculture office provided me with seeds and helped me to go organic.”
As the experiment with black rice cultivation showed results, Raymond has decided to retain the seeds for the cultivation of the variety in the coming season.
He has made a fervent plea to the farmers elsewhere in the State to go in for black rice cultivation, saying it has medicinal properties and is good for health since it’s being cultivated organically.
Residents of Benaulim have appreciated Raymond’s initiative, promising to support his endeavour in black rice cultivation. Charles D’Silva and others patted Raymond on his back not only for going to the fields during Covid but have brought improvements in farming techniques.
“Black rice is healthy and is organic. We locals will support him for his initiative with black rice cultivation,” Charles said, adding that Raymond is one of the Goan youth, who has stayed put in Goa to maintain and protect the heritage handed down by the generations.
Incidentally, Raymond is cultivating the fields at the Tolleaband water body, where the PWD, National Highway is planning to build the western bypass through landfilling.
