Seminarians, priests, villagers and youth reportedly gathered once again at Rachol Seminary to revive an annual tradition of cultivating the seminary’s paddy fields. The seminary’s annual and popular initiative draws participants from neighbouring villages as well, in a show of solidarity. The traditional farmers guide the youth in the farming activities. This only goes to show the commitment of the Church in Goa to save agriculture.
Indeed, community farming is the way forward. Several fields are abandoned, and some are even sold to real estate developers from other states. The Chicalim Youth Farmers Club (CYFC) has been actively involved in various farming activities, including cultivating paddy and vegetables, and reviving fallow land in Chicalim. They began their agricultural journey in 2020, with a focus on organic farming practices. Fortunately, many owners of the fields, which were left fallow for several years, agreed and resolved to revive their fields if youth are ready to work with them.
With the revival of fallow fields, agriculture can become a viable economic industry. Some educational institutes are on the way to taking the same route. It is learnt that St Joseph Vaz College, Cortalim, had acquired a field belonging to Cortalim Church and resumed farming activities. As an extracurricular activity, it will cultivate a love for agriculture among the students. Our land is fertile and blessed, and hence holds great scope for farming and agricultural activities. Many more churches in the State need to come forward and introduce the parish youth to farming activities by promoting community farming.
