ICAR-CCARI, Goa organized a field day to promote soil and water conservation measures

On June 13, 2024, ICAR-CCARI, Goa, organized a field day and exposure visit for the farmers of Dharbandora village, Goa, under the PMKSY-WDC 2.0 watershed project. The field day was organized to create awareness about various soil and water conservation measures, such as staggered contour trenches on sloping lands, rainwater harvesting ponds on hilltops for gravity-based irrigation, and an eco-friendly wastewater treatment facility. Dr. Sujeet Desai, Scientist (LWME) and PI of the PMKSY-WDC explained the importance of adopting soil and water conservation measures in cashew farming to reduce erosion and improve crop productivity through life-saving irrigation using harvested rainwater. He also educated the farmers on the significance of using treated wastewater for irrigating the agricultural crops. Dr. A. R. Uthappa, Scientist (Agroforestry), explained the farmers about potential of cashew-based silvi-pastoral systems for coastal region. He informed the farmers about the benefits of growing fodder crops between coconut and cashew trees to minimize erosion and increase their income. Technical Service Providers (TSP) for the Dharbandora watershed, Ms. Devika Joshi and Mr. Santosh Gad from TERI, Goa, were also present during the field visits. About 30 cashew farmers from the watershed, including 20 female and 10 male farmers, participated in the event. This field day was coordinated by Dr. Sujeet Desai, Scientist (LWME) and Dr. Uthappa, A.R., Scientist (Agroforestry).