Chicalim youth transplant paddy as part of agri challenge

Vasco: The Chicalim Youth Farmers Club (CYFC), which is cultivating a fallow field as part of an ‘agriculture revival challenge’, has recently completed the transplanting stage of paddy farming. This activity was taken up with mechanical support provided by the agro group, ‘Goenche Xetkar’, which is mentored by Fr George Quadros.

From clearing up the field of weeds, to tilling the land, ploughing it and levelling it in preparation for plating the crop, and now transplanting the paddy seedlings, the young members of the club have been working hard under the guidance of local farmer Rui da Costa Araujo.

Commenting on the activity, Alisha Pereira, a teacher at Regina Mundi School said, “This field has been lying fallow for over 25 years. In fact, I have never seen it cultivated till date. Today, however, it is great to see it all green. Watching the transplanter at work was also a great experience. Mechanised farming methods are a great help to do a lot of work in a short period of time. Also, I got a chance to grab a ride on the transplanter,” Pereira said.

Meanwhile, Araujo, who has been mentoring the youngsters said, “Happy to see that the youth of Chicalim got a chance to work with the soil, including getting their hands dirty, in order to take up this challenge of cultivating a field. Hope the enthusiasm and interest remains alive in the years to come.”

“The CYFC, a group of youth, for youth and by youth, was formed with a vision to help youngsters reconnect with nature. The agricultural revival challenge initiative was taken up by them in a bid to encourage more people, especially youngsters to take up community farming,” said Chicalim parish priest and CYFC mentor, Fr Bolmax Pereira.

The challenge was launched on June 5, on the occasion of World Environment Day. The challenge itself has been fraught with many difficulties for the youth, including working through incessant rain and stormy weather. And though the number of participants kept dwindling, the determination and self-confidence of a few members helped the group get the field ready for cultivation. They are now hopeful that their hard work converts into a bountiful harvest.