Team Herald
Margao: Agriculture Minister and Deputy Chief Minister Chandrakant Kavlekar on Friday handed certificates to at least 17 youth farmers from various parts of South Goa who have taken training at the first-ever Skill Development Training in Operation and Maintenance of Paddy Combine Harvester Operators Training programme.
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The 5-day training was through the Agriculture Technology Management Agency and the Agriculture Dept.
Due to the absence of skilled operators within Goa, the agriculturists were dependent on operators coming from neighbouring States.
“We had machines but there were no operators and the department along with the agriculturists had to beg to other State operators for the harvester operators. Now we have skilled operators, our own Goans who can double up as harvester operators in the times of need,” said Kavlekar.
Director of Agriculture Neville Alphonso said, “We needed this training for Goan youth. They learned with a lot of desire. They will assist this time and later next year do the operations themselves. Technical repairs and others have been taught. The idea is to avoid bringing skilled labourers to Goa from other States and source them from the State itself,” he said.
Trainee and an agriculturist Valentino Rodrigues said that they were dependent on outsiders and had problems with payment and also the commitment.
Jose Gracias from Varca said that the authorities have taken a lot of trouble for training them and has requested similar training for farmers and local youth.
Greg Fernandes, the trainer said, “When I was operating harvesters and during the lockdown, I had to go right from Pernem to Canacona for day and night operation. I wondered why Goan youth don’t learn the same. I have now trained the youth from the ground to top on the operation and maintenance of the machine.
