ICAR-CCARI, Goa in collaboration with Directorate of Agriculture, Govt. of Goa organized Watershed Yatra at Madkai village Panchayat

    On 5^th February, 2025, ICAR-CCARI, Goa in collaboration with Directorate of Agriculture, Govt. of Goa organized Watershed Yatra at Madkai Village Panchayat. Watershed Yatra- a nationwide mass outreach campaign aimed at raising awareness and encouraging participation in watershed development activities under the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (WDC-PMKSY 2.0) was centrally launched on 5^th February by Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare Shri Shivraj Singh Chauhan in a hybrid mode. ICAR-CCARI, Goa is the Project Implementing Agency (PIA) of PMKSY-WDC 2.0 watershed project in the Madkai village. The program started with Flag off of Watershed Yatra van followed by Jalpoojan, Bhoomipoojan, Shramdaan and plantation drive at Narayan Tali (Pond). The formal program was organized at Madkai Village Panchayat Hall. Shri. Ravi Naik, Hon’ble Minister of Agriculture, Handicrafts and Civil Supplies, Govt. of Goa was the Chief Guest and Shri Sudhin Dhavalikar, Hon’ble Minister of Power, New and Renewable Energy, Govt. of Goa was the Guest of Honour. Shri. Sandeep Faldessai, Director, Directorate of Agriculture, Govt. of Goa welcomed the guests. The dignitaries in their address emphasized on the need for soil and water conservation in the state of Goa by adopting sustainable methods under the climate change scenario to enhance the agriculture productivity. Shri Bholu Vithu Naik, a progressive farmer who has adopted innovative and sustainable water conservation methods at his farm was felicitated as Watershed Pathdarshak during the program. The live telecast of the nationwide launch of the Watershed Yatra by the Union Agriculture Minister was screened during the program.  Students from Anandi Bai School and Navadurga Higher Secondary School, Madkai performed cultural programs. About 500 people attended the Watershed Yatra program including Farmers, Women Self Help Groups, School Students, Officials from Govt. departments etc. Dr. Sujeet Desai, Scientist(LWME), ICAR-CCARI, Goa briefed the audience about the significance of Watershed Yatra and proposed the vote of thanks at the end of the program.