WEDNESDAY, MAY 01, 2024
MARGAO: Farmers in Patto-Chinchinim are celebrating their exceptional Vaigon (winter crop) harvest, a significant milestone, since they had cultivated these fields after a hiatus of 30 years. This success is attributed to various contributors, including the efforts of Rev Fr George Quadros, known as the 'Paddyman of Goa', who introduced Goa's first 'Power Winnowing Machine.' This cutting-edge machine efficiently separates grain from chaff, reducing labour and time.
The Water Resources Department played a crucial role in ensuring optimal water supply, while local stakeholders such as the MLA, village panchayat, and Chinchinim Agriculture Club, led by Adv Agnelo Furtado, actively participated in the initiative. The Agricultural Department's contribution was also acknowledged.
“Most of the fields are owned by the Comunidade, but there are tenants and a few private owners. We have formed a community club called the Chinchinim Agricultural Club and have all stakeholders on board. The winnowing machine is a 2-hp electrically operated machine that has a blower and screen sieve; it can process ideally four tonnes of paddy in one hour, reducing manpower and saving time,” said Furtado.
Fr Quadros, known for introducing innovative agri-technology like drones, rejuvenating acres of fallow land for cultivation through collaborations with local stakeholders and agro-tech farming collective Goencho Xetkar, which carried out mechanised transplanting and harvesting . "We look forward to transplanting a new area of 15 hectares in the upcoming Kharif season under Fr Quadros' direction," Kenneth Lopes of Goencho Xetkar told O Heraldo.
