TEAM HERALD
MARGAO: Buoyed by the success of the technique last season, the System of Rice Intensification (SRI) technique is gradually, but surely, catching up with farmers in Salcete, especially in Nuvem and surrounding villages.
If the SRI technique was successfully implemented in a small field at Gorvott ward, Nuvem, it’s been taken up on a larger scale this year at the Baida ward ~ thanks to the initiative by the Nuvem Charitable Trust and the Agriculture Department.
Agriculture Department officials exuded confidence on the SRI system catching up fast with farmers across the state in the near future.
Says Nuvem Charitable Trustee, Everson Vales: “The Trust has embarked on a plan to create a module in Nuvem to implement the SRI technique across the village. Last year, the technique was implemented on a small scale in the Gorvott ward and farmers have experienced the results. This year, we have introduced the technique in entire Baida ward.”
To take the SRI technique to the doorsteps of the farmers, the Trust approached NABARD and helped local farmers get exposure at Sanguem, where they received both knowledge and education on the technique.
Vales said there will be no looking back now since the SRI technique has helped farmers get a better yield last year. “We want to create a road map to ensure that the benefit of SRI technique percolates down to the farmers. The technique is catching up amongst farmers across India and Goa. Farmers will benefit in a big way,” he added.
Zonal Agriculture Officer Sandeep Faldessai said SRI system is catching up amongst farmers since its introduction in Goa two-three years ago. “The SRI technique is being implemented on a large scale in Sanguem and Canacona talukas. In Salcete, it is slowly catching up amongst farmers. We had implemented the SRI technique in Macazana, Chandor, Nuvem and other villages last season.” If the ZAO is to be believed, farmers have claimed nearly double the yield after the technique was implemented.
