PONDA: Farmers in Mardol have been advocating for the declaration of zayo (jasmine) flowers as a ‘heritage crop’ in the upcoming Agriculture Policy for Goa. The farmers are concerned about the protection of their zayo cultivation land from potential destruction by builder lobbies.
The farmers emphasise the need to safeguard the zayo plantation, which has been a source of livelihood for the local community for over a century.
They note that production has been significantly affected, with a recent decrease to fifty percent due to chemical pollution and instances of fires damaging their crops. Additionally, the zayo cultivation land, which was originally 50,000 square metres, has been reduced by half due to road widening for the National Highway (NH), and some builders are attempting to acquire the remaining land.Zayo cultivation primarily takes place on the land located beside the NH in Mardol. The builders have expressed interest in this land for their projects. The Naik Fulkar Samaj Community in Mardol is renowned across Goa for its Zayo cultivation. Approximately 60 families are involved in Zayo cultivation, and the annual Zayo Pooja celebration at the Goddess Mahalsa Temple in Mardol is famous throughout the State.
During the pooja, farmers offer their entire zayo crop as a tribute to the goddess. They recently presented gharane (an offering) to Goddess Mahalsa to seek protection for their zayo land against individuals with vested interests.
Farmer Sanjeev Cuncolienkar mentioned that a resolution had been passed during a gram sabha in Veling-Priol-Cuncolim to send a proposal to the government, requesting that zayo flowers be declared a heritage crop of the village to ensure the preservation of this important agricultural tradition and livelihood.
