Thursday 28 Mar 2024

Returning to roots

Gradually transforming the untilled, lands into green belts of paddy cultivation, the farmers of Divar are determined to bring under cultivation 60,000 sq mts of land this year and touch the figure of 100000 sq mts next year

| JULY 21, 2018, 05:30 PM IST
Returning to roots

BHARATI PAWASKAR   

It is past nine o’clock in the morning on the little island of Divar and one can see people working, knee deep in the fields, replanting the paddy plants irrespective of rain and sunshine. The fields, most of which were left untilled for years, are now turning from yellowish brown weeds to green paddy. It’s a scene to behold.   

In this little island hugged by the meandering river Mandovi, people are now returning to their roots. Most elderly and retired are turning to farming and also encouraging the village youth to embrace this simple way of life. The once agricultural village is gradually regaining its old form with people realising the importance of growing their own food. This year the farming community in São Matias has brought under cultivation 60,000 sq mts of land. Their plans are to increase it to 100,000 sq mts by 2019.   

Initially, constituted by three Communidades (Piedade, São Matias (now Malar) and Goathias), the island of Divar, is now divided into two parts, São Matias and Goltim-Navelim. “Though we may look divided by geographical boundaries, but our hearts and fields are one now, thanks to mechanised farming which we have initiated here few years ago,” says Santosh Mayenkar, president of ‘Divadi Krishi Vikas Sangh’ that has united the farmers and brought many of them under one umbrella to engage in full-fledged farming. The organisation comprises of traditional farmers as well as new entrants sharing their knowledge to reap a bountiful crop.   

Mayenkar, 57, who has been in paddy cultivation for a decade, has realised the importance of organic farming. “I shifted from chemical to organic farming eight years ago. Initially, I witnessed less yield, but now I am reaping a golden harvest,” adds Mayenkar who harvested 1000 kilos of rice last year and is expecting to reap 1200 this year.   

Dilip Shindolkar, a former banker who has embraced farming on a full-fledged basis helped Mayenkar to rope in 36 like-minded persons from the island, all of who are now working to bring in automation in farming. “We formed our farmers club, ‘Divadi Krishi Vikas Sangh’ three years ago. Anyone willing to start mechanized farming can become a member with an initial payment of Rs 500,” briefs Shindolkar who serves as the bridge between the farmers and the government. Shindolkar has been educating the farmers regarding various subsidies. He also guides them in completing the formalities to apply for different schemes.   

Another islander, Servitor Cabral, 64, who used to work as an engineer and manager in GMMCO at Porvorim, retired after 20 years of service and is now into full time farming. “I grow all local vegetables like chilies, tomatoes, onions, ladies fingers, snake gourd, red amaranth, spinach etc in 1000 sq mt plot. After setting aside enough for home, we sell whatever is extra,” he shares. Cabral also cultivates paddy in his 3800 sq mt field.  

“I reaped around 10 quintals of paddy in 2017 which fetched me a rate of Rs 12 per kilo and a support price of Rs 8 per kilo from the government. We consume rice which we grow in our fields, and it is tastier than what we used to buy from the market few years ago,” quips Cabral.   

The oldest of them is Manohar Bhomkar who is 83. Hailing from a farmer’s family, Bhomkar has three pieces of land. “I have stopped cultivating one of these for the past two years as the wild boars create nuisance and destroy my standing crop. In the remaining two fields, I sow Jyoti variety of rice for commercial purpose and some Korgute, for home consumption,” states Bhomkar who recalls the good old varieties like Kenav, Novan, Korgut, Kalo Mudgo or Kaluko, Ajgo, Taisun, Munde etc, most of which have gone extinct.   

Owing to high labor costs, Rosadina Menezes has also adopted the new methods of farming to till her 1800 sq ft area. “We have to pay Rs 300-450 per day per person along with travelling expenses and food, for a 9.30 am to 5.30 pm day. Instead, tilling and planting by machines comes cheaper and can be done quickly,” says Rosadine.   

Some farmers like Devu Anand Bhomkar are worried that some of the Goan varieties of rice will no longer be seen on the shelves of supermarkets. “We have to retain this old variety or else it will die out,” he maintains.   

Some like Dinesh Desai whose fields have gone barren due to salty water, no longer till their own land. Desai has stopped cultivating his land for the past three years and instead has borrowed someone else’s field to till. “Our fields have gone barren, due to the seepage of salty water from the creek which flows in during high tides as the bunds that stop them are broken and never repaired. So there is no control on the flow of water which flows in and out of our fields. That’s the reason I have stopped cultivating my fields,” he points out. But he was lucky to get two fields, of 1000 and 2000 sq mts, all for free from a farmer friend.  

Claudine and her husband Tiburcio Picado have two fields which they have been cultivating for 30 years and have stuck to traditional variety. “Currently we grow Jyoti and Korgut rice,” they mention.   

Thanks to the enthusiastic Diwadkars, Divar is gaining back its old way of life. .   

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