IN SHORT
Goa’s traditional irrigation techniques—like check basins, furrows, and lever systems—were sustainable but highly labor-intensive.
Some methods, such as ‘Ghuddeani’ and ‘Chollani,’ are nearly extinct, while others like furrow irrigation still thrive for specific crops.
Farmers and experts stress documenting these practices before they disappear, even as modern technology transforms agriculture.
Traditional irrigation methods have long sustained agriculture in Goa, offering affordable yet labor-intensive alternatives to modern systems. While some practices remain in use today, many are fading as farmers transition to mechanized techniques for higher efficiency.
Among the enduring methods is the Check Basin Method (Mherãni), particularly effective for levelled fields. Here, land is divided into basins based on water-holding capacity, all connected by small drains. The highest basin acts as the main water source. This simple and low-cost technique prevents soil erosion and can irrigate large areas efficiently.
Another widely practiced method is Furrow Irrigation (Bhandiani), especially for row crops. Furrows are created between rows so water can flow along them. “If the furrow is filled properly, it provides water for at least two days in the case of leafy vegetables,” explains Inacina Miranda from Margão. Though inexpensive, it requires significant manual effort.
Canal irrigation is also seen, with canals built during the Portuguese era in 1952. The Chandor canal, originating in Bhat (Quepem), still irrigates fields in Paroda, Chandor, and Macazana.
