Villagers in Utorda weren’t content with the mere sports, cultural and social activities the United club of Utorda were undertaking. They wanted to do something for the farmers in the village too. The club members went door to door, met with farmers, motivated them, organised seminars and formed a separate identity and entity for them.
The Farmer Club of Utorda came into existence in 2013 and was registered with the department of agriculture. This proved beneficial to farmers who had little or no access to modern technology, government schemes and benefits. The United club of Utorda under the leadership of Agnelo Pereira, secretary Trindade Fernandes and the governing body together with Vivian Almeida, Jose Paul Fernandes, Seby Gomes all worked towards this cause.
The village of Utorda is situated and sandwiched between the Arabian Sea and River Sal and has a vast alluvial river basin which is ideal for paddy, vegetables, pulses and watermelon cultivation. Its farmers have rich knowledge of traditional farming. However during the last decade agriculture saw a decline in the village. The economic gain from NRIs, lack of cheap labour and laziness were some of the factors the villagers held responsible. In fact Utorda was known for producing the best watermelons in the State.
NRIs who have returned to the village are slowly taking interest in faming again. Filomeno Rodrigues is a fitting example. A teacher by profession, he returned to the State and says he is happy to do as his ancestors did. “A farmer looks at crops growing just as parents watch their children growing,” he says.
Menino Fernandes, a bank employee has also returned to farming in his retirement years. “Our fields are our treasure. Our ancestors survived on farming and we too have to protect our fields from land sharks and greedy politicians,” he says. A traditional farmer Inacinho Pereira who has worked on his land throughout his life says he is happy he club is taking interest in farming. The club’s support and backing have allowed him to feel more secure in continuing this traditional occupation.
The United club prides itself as being the only social club to venture into such a project. Today with the help of the club 125 farmers have made Krishi cards. Regular seminars are also held in the village where officials from the zonal agriculture office, Margao, Zuari Agro Chemical Ltd and Nabard are invited. The villagers are grateful for this awakening the brought among farmers.
Review Bureau
