MARGAO: Deputy CM and Agriculture Minister Vijai Sardesai urged the Education Minister to include agriculture in the school curriculum as work experience for students.
Applauding the summer agriculture camp at Fatorda organised by ‘We for Fatorda’, the minister said that it was a successful attempt to inculcate love for agriculture among the students. He called upon all the MLAs and his department to conduct similar camps across all constituencies.
MMC chairperson Babita Angle, Usha Sardesai, Ravindra Bhavan chairman Prashant Naik, managing director of Horticulture Corporation Sandeep Phaldessai were present amongst over 120 enthusiastic kids.
“Agriculture has to be a part of the school curriculum. If the children are going to get involved, take trouble and get aware of agriculture and green Goa, then they should get marks for that. That child will become a model Goan,” Vijai said and observed that the chief minister, who holds the education portfolio, has to think seriously to make agriculture a part of the educational curriculum.
“Government will be a part of the next camp and will support it. Other MLAs should take this as a challenge and do it in their constituencies and we will support the same. Even if the schools from Goa can take this initiative,” Vijai said.
The minister said his department was willing to start an agriculture academic cell in Goa for the facilitation of agricultural education through similar activities.
Vijai informed that in Goa 25,000 hectares of land is uncultivated and to get it under cultivation is a challenge. “Awareness on this will go a long way to get this land under cultivation and create a real green Goa,” he said.
Meanwhile, Vijai has decided to discontinue distributing manures and fertilisers to local farmers and instead he wants them to go organic. “I may be flayed for stopping the same but this time we will be giving neem-coated organic fertilisers and pesticides. We Goans will have to work for 7 to 8 years to get organic certification and we will go to a new level,” Vijai informed. Over 120 enthusiastic kids and their parents took a part in the camp and the best performers were awarded prizes.
Angle said, “The effort that Usha Sardesai put for the camp with a vision to make them understand about the earth, farmer, and farming is exemplary. The vision is to tell the next generation what is good for them and the camp has surely conveyed the message to the kids.”
Sharing her thoughts, Usha Sardesai said, “We shouldn’t blame the children for getting attracted to technology. It has become a shortcut for parents. But if the parents take the initiative to show the joys and productivity of nature, they will enjoy.” On the occasion, Usha also announced starting a Kids Farming Club and a 15-day camp next year.
Ravindra Bhavan chairman Prashant Naik said, “Many summer camps happen, but I congratulate Usha for getting children into the fields. We are going away from the fields and we have to blame ourselves. The Agriculture Department has been doing a great job and it is time that we get a green revolution in Goa.”
