PERNEM: Uday Prabhu Desai, a progressive farmer from Korgaon Bhaitwada, has called for a change in the way landowners and landlords manage their agricultural lands. He emphasizes the need for cooperation and revitalization of unused agricultural land to bring about a green revolution.
In the past, bhatkars and mundkars had distinct roles, with the latter being subservient to the former. However, today’s circumstances demand a shift in this relationship. Desai encourages landowners, particularly bhatkars or zamindars, to take the initiative to engage with their Mundkars members and utilize the fallow lands effectively. By doing so, a green revolution can be initiated, benefiting both the land and the community.
Desai himself is a pioneer in diversifying his farm income sources and also expressed his willingness to assist farmers with ploughing and sowing fields, even at reduced costs.
He highlights the issue of some mundkars leaving their lands fallow, rendering them infertile over time and has taken the initiative to cultivate crops on such neglected lands.
Desai’s farming practices are diverse, including the cultivation of Gerberia flowers, sugarcane, cucumber, okra, marigold flowers, turmeric, and more. He emphasises organic farming methods over chemical fertilisers.
He suggests that Goa’s climate is conducive to diverse agricultural production, and farmers should experiment with different crops, even suggesting the possibility of growing apples in the State.
Desai believes that agriculture can offer substantial income, potentially surpassing government job salaries. He notes that a couple can earn between Rs 50,000 to 60,000 per month through farming but acknowledges the challenges, such as the need for a market for agricultural produce and addressing crop damage caused by wild animals.
He calls on the government to provide timely compensation to farmers in case of natural disasters, such as storms or fires, which can lead to income loss and stresses the importance of fair pricing and timely access to markets for farmers, as these factors greatly impact their income.
Desai concludes by emphasizing the need for farmers to spend ample time in their fields, maintaining a close relationship with their land and crops, and actively addressing agricultural challenges such as pest control.
