This is a trend that is certainly catching on in the state. Anyone who is a farmer will tell you it is backbreaking work. Waking up early and long hours under the hot sun is par for the course. And then there is the monsoon that seems to be increasingly working in a manner that surprises and is growing to be a cause of worry. Community farming is gaining in popularity in the state. The land holdings in the state are not very big and community farming is an option increasingly gaining popularity.
Valente Gracias, a man who has seen the world during his life as a seaman, decided to turn his attention to tilling the land of his forefathers in Sarzora. After earning money as a cook and then waiter on the cruise liners, Valente gave up that life to live with his family. After conducting businesses in various parts of Goa on properties he had taken on hire, he decided it was time to do something on the land he owned. Valente said “I was approached by Seby Rebello of Goa Sudharop who suggested I take up farming. I have some property where weddings and the odd dance is conducted. And I have a piece of land all located in Sarzora. I took up farming on that piece of land lying fallow for a couple of years”.
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He then took it a step further. He decided to inspire fellow villagers to take up cultivation of their land. Valente said he along with his sons Josh and Jade talked to the youngsters in the village and encouraged them to enter the paddy fields which till now remained fallow. He talked to them about his experience working o his fields. He said it kept him mentally and physically sharp during these very tough times. His persuasion worked and an area covering an acre was given for farming to him and the youngsters in the village. One field belonged to Caitan Fernandes which was around 1600sq mtr and the rest was owned by Dominic Fernandes.
Valente said they spend a few hours on the field every day, planting seeds which was very satisfying and would pay off when the fruits would be seen by everyone. In all this they were assisted by Goa Sudharop, an NGO incorporated in 2000 in California. They provided tractors which gave the entire exercise a boost. All the volunteers who were between 16-20 years learned to operate the tractor. The farming was done in May and the NGO helped them with finance. The younger generation, he said since quite a bit of the work was manual, they enjoyed it tremendously. He said since they still had two fields to harvest they would use the harvesting machine and the water pumps which could help them get the water from the canal nearby which had water thanks to the monsoons.
Valente said he had talked to the youngsters repeatedly and told them they had to learn it for their family. He said “I strongly believe in community farming. It is the best way to go forward. We can save a lot of money. We have to pay labour Rs 500 everyday for a woman to work on this. We did transplanting by hand”.
This effort of his attracted boys who are earning a name in other fields. Hayden Fernandes who played for FC Goa junior and is now in Bengaluru was part of the exercise. There were two other players who played for Churchill brothers and Myron who played on several occasions for Dempo.He said all of them participated enthusiastically in the process.
The NGO has helped people in Goa to restart farming in other places apart from Sarzora village. According to information available in the public space, they provide weed cutters, electric saw, high power water pumps, power tiller, Tractor, driller and some other equipment for people interested in farming. The NGO’s initiative is being coordinated by fashion designer Verma D’Mello in the state.
One can only wish them all the very best because its success will save the land of the state which is presently being sold to anyone and everyone interested in buying them.
