MARGAO: The pilot project of Shivyog Cosmic Farming Goa wing was inaugurated by Agriculture Minister Vijai Sardesai at Davondem Fatorda on Tuesday. Shiv Yog Krishi has been introduced to improve agriculture by increasing yield without use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides.
A self help group from Fatorda planted rice seedlings along with the minister. The founder of the Shiv Yog Krishi Cosmic farming had organised a training programme for Goans which is a recognised model under the Traditional Farming Development scheme of Government of India. The Shiv Yog Krishi farming on Tuesday planted the ‘Ratnagiri Red’ rice under the cosmic farming model.
“The cost of production of the rice decreased under the Shiv Yog Krishi farming model and consumers can have safe food devoid of fertilizers and chemicals. I feel all the leaders and representatives of Goa have to give importance to this farming model,” said Agriculture Minister Vijai Sardesai. He said that this model would revolutionise the farming in Goa.
“There is 40,000 hectares of kharif and rabi rice cultivation of which 50% is uncultivated and what we need is mechanisation to get all this barren fields under cultivation,” said the agriculture minister.
“The tokenism of agriculture challenge won’t help the farmers. How does the agriculture minister getting into the field benefit the farmer?” the minister asked.
“Mechanization for example will finish a hectare of plantation of rice in one and half hour which takes six days if done manually. Hence, the government is thinking of making Goans as service providers for transplantation, ploughing and other operations in Agriculture rather than giving business to outsiders,” he said.
