Chinchinim farmers to organise Baattachem festival

Panaji: The Baattachem (paddy) festival is set to take place on Feb 23 from 4pm to 6:30pm at Chinchinim. This vibrant event being celebrated by farmers celebrates the rich agricultural traditions and cultural heritage of the village.
Paddy is cultivated in three different topographical situations—rain-fed uplands (Morod), rain-fed lowlands (Kher), and coastal saline lands (Khazans). The crop is being cultivated both during kharif (Sod) and rabi (Vaigon) seasons.
During 1960-61, paddy was cultivated on 50,302ha of land producing a total of 79,948 tonnes. However, the number of farmers since then has drastically reduced. The socio-economic situations prevailing in the state, however, the non-availability, high cost of labour, lack of mechanisation, and lack of threshing and processing facilities, including marketing infrastructure, are threatening the cultivation of this major food crop.
The festival is therefore aimed at popularising the paddy crop.
A key highlight of the Baattachem festival is the Pradarshan, which will showcase traditional farming techniques, local crafts, and cultural displays.
The festival will also feature performances like the Kottiancho Nach (a traditional folk dance using coconut shells), Balcaocheo Gozalleo (a song performance), and Kor Kantar (a celebration of Konkani music).
Attendees can also look forward to a series of interactive activities that promote collective growth, such as discussions on agricultural sustainability and women’s role in rural economic development.
In addition to its cultural performances, Baattachem fest provides a space for individual social responsibility, encouraging people to participate in the local community’s growth and prosperity.