There is one common theme that can be seen in most Goan houses, more so in their
backyard.
In many such cases, after years of
meticulous preparations and nurturing, the organic outcome can leave you
spellbound.
These are the beautiful gardens, Goans are
famous for and there is a group that is recognising the effort and passion that
goes into maintaining them.
Like its previous editions, the 24th
Annual Home Garden and 6th Kitchen Garden Competition 2018 is doing just that.
In the ‘Organic Kitchen Gardens’ category,
Mr Lenny Menezes, who stays at Quinta de Menezes, Marra, Pilerne, won the first
place while Ms Sudha Sumitran, who stays near Canara Bank, Brittona and Ms
Terency Luis, who stays near Nunes Chapel, Verna won the second and third place
respectively.
The special jury prize was awarded to Ms
Marie D’souza, from Coimavaddo, Aldona while Mrs Prisca Martins Memorial Prize
for innovative gardening was awarded to Mr Anthony Pereira, who lives near
Froggy Land crossroads, Nuvem
The Botanical Society of Goa (BSG) also
places on record the appreciation and gratitude to all the participants and the
members of the judging teams.
The prizes will be given at the Konkan
Fruit Fest scheduled for 20 to 22 April, 2018.
“We look forward to the participation of
BSG members and others in the promotion of Fruits and Fruit Products of the
Konkan region as we have been doing since 2003,” said Miguel Braganza.
The Botanical Society of Goa (BSG) is a volunteer – driven
association of people and institutions, specially educational institutions
The Botanical Society of Goa started the ‘Home Garden
Competition’ in 1991 to promote the gardening habit and love of plants. It had
the second competition in 1992 and then discontinued. It was revived and made
annual since 1996. It has been held without a break. Road side tree maintenance
was promoted by giving bonus points in 1996 to 1998, when composting was added
to promote production of organic manures at home. In 2000, recycling of grey
water [from sinks, bathrooms, etc] was added. Given the advancements in
technology, the use of soak-pit water with EM treatment was also added. 2012
saw the start of the separate ‘Organic Kitchen Garden ‘competition, where the
contestant did not need to have ornamental and flowering plants at all.
“The response has been encouraging. Annually, about 25 to 40
participants enter the competition from around Goa but majority are from the
Old Conquest talukas along the coast. The hinterland [except for Ponda taluka]
has largely remained unconnected and is going to be our focus in coming years,”
said Miguel, when asked to comment about how the group and competitions have
grown over the years.
“For three years from 2012 to 2014, the Green Essentials
sponsored prizesfor the best three ORGANIC Kitchen Gardens. It drew attention.
The prizes are now paid from the BSG account. From 2015, Roland Martins
instituted a prize for innovative gardening in the memory of his mother, Prisca
Martins, an avid and innovative gardener ahead of her times,” added Miguel.
When asked to comment about the big takeaways, Miguel expressed
pride in the fact that young professionals are the main contestants now and
that children are getting involved as well. “Terency Luis and Adelia Viegas are
an example of daughter and mother taking part in the competition from their own
houses, ” quipped Miguel. He also gave the example of how in the year 2015 a 11
year old girl, Abhida Barreto form Gogol won the prize for her terrace
vegetable garden in pots.
The list of members in this thriving community is long. Mrs.
Hema Unny from Vasco, Mrs Melanie Vaz from Benaulim , Cdr. T.R. Anant Narayanan
from Vasco, Adv. Govind Usno Bhobe from Nerul, Oscar Silveira from Borda –
Margao, Terency Luis from Verna, Savika Gomes from Arossim and Lizarda Mendonsa
in Moira are just some of the names.
BSG
and Green Essentials and well as other members conduct training courses in
organic vegetable cultivation and make organic inputs available whenever it’s
needed.
