ICAR-CCARI's new salt tolerant paddy varieties help farmers bring back barren salt affected land into cultivation at St. Estevum village, North Goa.
ICAR-CCARI's new salt tolerant paddy varieties help farmers bring back barren salt affected land into cultivation at St. Estevum village, North Goa.
The new salt tolerant rice varieties developed at ICAR-CCARI, Goa, has brought good harvest of paddy in the salt affected Khazan land in the St. estevum village, a small island located in the North Goa district surrounded by the river Mandovi and its creeks. Vast area of cultivable paddy field was left uncultivated for almost 30 years, and the rejuvenation was a huge task to the villagers. Few of the villagers including Mr Nestor Rangel and Mr. Shailendra Afononso showed interest to restore rice cultivation in the area. The ATMA officials from the Department of Agriculture, Govt of Goa led by the Mr Sanjeev Mayekar and ICAR scientist Dr. Manohara KK organized series of meeting with the villagers to pursue them to go for community farming. Periodical visits were made by the ATMA officials and ICAR scientists to guide farmer about the cultivation practices. Initially 50 ha (125 acre) out of available 250 ha land was brought under cultivation. Seeds of the rice varieties Goa dhan-1 and GRS-1 was supplied to the farmers through agriculture department. The new varieties has given good yield under the salinity condition compared to the local varieties. Dr. E. B. Chakurkar, director ICAR-CCARI attended the first harvest prayer and assured farmers of rendering full co-operation during the coming years to cover more area in the village.