The progressive farmer of ICAR-CCARI,Goa receive KRISHI VIBHUSHAN Award and ICAR-KVK, North Goa farmer receive “Fr. Inacio Almeida Annual Award” for organic farming

The progressive farmer of ICAR-CCARI,Goa were honoured with KRISHI VIBHUSHAN Award and ICAR- KVK,North Goa farmer with Prestigious “Fr. Inacio Almeida Annual Award” for organic farming for the period 2021 by the hands of Hon’ble Chief Minister of Goa, Dr. Pramod Sawant on 19th December 2021 on the occasion of 60th Goa Liberation Day celebrations. Smt. Anitha Mathew Vallikkappen (Assonora) received the KRISHI VIBHUSHAN Award while, Shri. Deelip Pundalik Narulkar (Pernem) was given the “Fr. Inacio Almeida Annual Award” for organic farming. Smt. Anitha Mathew and her husband, Shri. Mathew Vallikkappen follow sustainable fish based integrated farming system in 1.87 ha area including polyculture of predatory fish along with forage fish (seabass, tilapia, carps and Bhasa), piggery (Agonda Goan, Crossbred, Hampshire, Large black, Large White Yorkshire, Land race, and Duroc), poultry (Srinidhi, Vanaraja, and Gramapriya), fruit crops (pineapple, banana, papaya, and passion fruit), vegetables (chilli, ladies finger, ivy gourd, amaranthus, tapioca, brinjal), vermi-compost, and biogas. The biogas and vermi-compost are the waste recycling components of the farm. This system gives them a gross return of Rs. 75.4 lakhs (with a net profit of Rs. 46.4 lakhs). During the covid-19 pandemic, the scientists from the institute guided the farm family in developing the fish based IFS, which is found more profitable, sustainable, and resource efficient. The benefit cost ratio for the farm was estimated to be 2.6. By adopting this IFS model, risk of crop loss was reduced due to diversified components (13 types) and the farm income has been doubled compared to the mono-crop practice. Shri. Deelip follows organic farming system in an area of 5.8 ha that includes crop components such as paddy, cashew, arecanut, coconut and black pepper and livestock components- dairy (Gir cow) and backyard poultry. He also prepares specific products such as protein powder (from plant seeds), organically made pesticide (guava leaf, neem leaf, lemon leaf, adulsa leaf, chili powder and cow urine) and Jeevamrut. The vermicomposting and biogas units are also established in the farm facility. The gross income and net profit of the farm are Rs. 23.6 Lakhs and Rs. 12.7 Lakhs respectively. The ICAR- Central Coastal Agricultural Research Institute, Ela, Goa provided all the scientific and technical support for the development of the farming systems of the awardee farmers.