MARGAO: Sending a message to fellow Goans, especially the youth, to take up farming and preserve agricultural fields for posterity, the seminarians at Rachol Seminary, along with members of the public, carried out their annual community initiative of paddy cultivation in the fields of the seminary.
Locals from Rachol and neighbouring villages, as well as others from South Goa areas like Borda, Arossim, and
Shiroda, gathered at the seminary on Tuesday, braving the rains, to join hands with the seminarians.
The group of farmers also adhered to traditional methods to teach the youngsters present how the fields were
cultivated in the past, ensuring that such ground-level knowledge is passed on to future
generations.
Food and refreshments were provided, and popular Konkani hit songs were played, creating a festive and lively ambiance.
Fr Jollyson Fernandes, administrator at Rachol Seminary, mentioned that the harvested rice from the fields is used for the seminarians’ food throughout the year. Any surplus rice is then sold nearby.
He added that this activity instilled a great sense of pride and a desire to see the fields used for cultivation.
Benny Fernandes, a seminarian, shared that he has been participating in such activities since a young age, both at home and at the seminary. He called on all Goans not to abandon any fields and to ensure that age-old agricultural practices are carried forward.
J Crispino Fernandes, another seminarian, mentioned that they, along with the community, also grow other fruits and vegetables in these fields. He emphasized that they learn other traditional forms of occupations at the seminary.
