Team Herald
bicholim: There was a time when the locals jointly fought to save their lands from mining companies and refused to fall prey to the ministers. Today, they are trying to bring about a green revolution in their farms.
These the farmers from Kudnem in Sanquelim whose farms are just next to the mining dumps. Had they given up their fight, they feel their land would have been turned useless.
Now, the farmers are reaping the benefits of what they had sown. They have various crops such as turmeric, ginger, ladyfinger, brinjal amongst others.
“I have about 2000 sq mts of land and I was cultivating ladyfinger here and this year after the lockdown I decided to include other crops in the farm,” said Subhash Malik from Kudnem.
Subhash took voluntary retirement from his earlier job and turned to farming.
“This land was barren for so many years and even the mining company was after me to give this land on long lease to dump the ore but I denied them the same. Even I was pressurized through a minister but I was firm in my decision. Today, I feel vindicated,” Subhash reflected, while pointing to all his organic farm produce.
Moreover, all the farmers are cultivating these crops, using only organic manure.
“At first, we tried using fertilizers but we realised that it damages the fertility of the soil,” Subhash added.
The farmers added that they got a good profit in turmeric and ginger production; and that they also gave seeds to the govt nursery.
“We knew that due to the Covid-19 pandemic, there would be a shortage of vegetables and so most of us cultivated these farms, anMalik added.
Last year, the farmers cultivated paddy fields using organic methods only.
“I love this profession and get joy working in the field” Subhash concludes.
Interestingly, most of the vegetables from their farms are sold online.
The farmers also credited the agriculture dept for providing them with support in availing govt schemes or constructing fences.
Incidentally, next year they are planning to do take up community farming.
Another farmer, Santosh Malik, a teacher by profession, also decided to make use of his barren land and cultivate different crops in it.
Malik added that the lockdown also helped him turn to farming. He used the plot next to his house, which was kept barren all these years to grow crops.
“During the lockdown, I was thinking about how if I use the land, it could turn out to be very helpful for me,” said Malik.
Malik is now self-sufficient when it comes to his food requirements as he points out that he gets all his vegetables from his fields itself.
“Rather than depending upon others, we should cultivate our own crops in the fields” Malik added.
