Labourers engaged in paddy transplantation work at the Novar Khazan land at Curtorim.
MARGAO
A major paddy transplantation exercise is underway in Curtorim, known as the granary of Salcete, to bring around two lakh square meters of khazan land under cultivation.
This khazan land had remained fallow over the years, before it was brought under cultivation around half-a-decade ago by the Novar Khazan Tenants Association headed by Chairman Rui Menezes.
Since then, the Association has been cultivating the khazan land, not only brining additional land under paddy cultivation, but adding to the greenery of the village.
Association Chairman Rui informed that the transplantation of paddy in the Novar khazan is a major exercise carried out by the Association every year. “Around 25-30 women laboures, besides 10 male labourers are at work in the khazan land, carrying out the transplantation manually. It will take us more than a fortnight to complete the transplantation”, he said.
Rui said the Association cannot deploy the mechanical transplanter as the khazan land surface is uneven. “Transplanters and heavy machinery do not work in the khazan fields. Hence, we have no option than to carry out the transplantation exercise manually”, he said.
To a question, he pointed out that the khazan land has been lying fallow over the years before the Association decided to bring the same under cultivation about five years ago. “This year, the Association has opted for the Jaya variety of paddy”, he added.
Saying the Association had reaped rich harvest in the past, Rui said the exercise has the potential to bring in good returns if the government provides subsidy. “We have initiated the exercise irrespective whether the farmers get the subsidy or not. But, subsidy would go a long way in reviving agriculture”, he added.
Chairman of Curtorim Bio-diversity Board, J Santan Rodrigues expressed satisfaction that the Novar Khazan Tenants Association has again cultivated the khazan land spread across an area of over two lakhs square meters. “This khazan fields have been lying fallow over the years before Rui and members of his Association brought them under cultivation. Curtorim is known as the granary of Salcete and this exercise will help in protecting the rich biodiversity of the village”, Santan added.
