Tag: Agriculture

Social

Vedanta Sesa Goa Revives Over 20 Hectares of Farmland in Maem with ‘Back to Farming’ Initiative

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Tanisha Cardozo || Team Allycaral

Vedanta Sesa Goa – Iron Ore Goa, recognizing the need to support local farmers, has launched the ‘Back to Farming’ initiative in Maem, aimed at rejuvenating over 20 hectares of uncultivated land and empowering more than 150 farming families. The project is designed to provide critical support to agricultural activities, enhance crop yields, and encourage the younger generation to take an active interest in farming.

A key aspect of the initiative is the construction of a traditional water storage system, known locally as a ‘bandhara’, which will augment irrigation facilities and enable farmers to cultivate double crops as well as vegetables. The foundation stone for the bandhara was laid in a ceremony attended by Shri Premendra Shet, Hon’ble MLA for Maem, along with Vedanta IOG executives, Panchayat members, and community members.

Currently, factors such as high input costs, expensive farm machinery, and a declining interest in farming among the youth have left several large land tracts uncultivated. Vedanta Sesa Goa is actively mapping these areas across the villages of Mulgao, Piligao, Maem, and Bordem, providing scientific guidance, construction of fences, and water storage mechanisms to support sustainable farming practices.

Speaking at the ceremony, Shri Premendra Shet emphasized the significance of this initiative in preserving Goa’s agrarian heritage, strengthening farmer livelihoods, and ensuring sustainable rural development. Farmers, including Mr. Dilip Shet of Maem, highlighted the importance of Vedanta’s support in giving uncultivated land a second lease of life and sustaining agricultural practices for future generations.

This initiative builds on Vedanta IOG’s previous successes in Piligao, where over 20 hectares of uncultivated land were rejuvenated through the ‘Hands to Help’ farmers’ association. Similar projects are also underway in Amona and Navelim, further cementing Vedanta Sesa Goa’s commitment to sustainable agriculture, community engagement, and rural development in Goa.

Business

S. Sankarasubramanian of Coromandel International Elected Chairman of FAI

Tanisha Cardozo

The Board of Directors of the Fertiliser Association of India (FAI), in its meeting held on October 31, 2025, has elected Mr. S. Sankarasubramanian, Managing Director and CEO of Coromandel International Limited, as the Chairman of FAI.

Dr. Siba Prasad Mohanty, Managing Director of Hindustan Urvarak & Rasayan Ltd., who was earlier one of the two Co-Chairmen, will now serve as the sole Co-Chairman of the Association.

Mr. Sankarasubramanian, previously Co-Chairman of the FAI Board and Chairman of FAI’s Southern Region, brings with him more than 30 years of deep industry experience, especially in the Phosphatic and Potassic (P&K) fertiliser segments. His leadership is expected to further strengthen FAI’s strategic role in supporting India’s agricultural ecosystem.

In his remarks, Mr. Sankarasubramanian reaffirmed FAI’s commitment to “driving innovation and sustainability through resource efficiency and balanced nutrition, while working closely with policymakers to achieve Atmanirbharta in the fertiliser sector.” He emphasized that the industry would continue aligning its goals with national agricultural priorities to foster growth, resilience, and long-term food security.

The FAI also extended its appreciation to Mr. Sailesh C. Mehta, the outgoing Chairman, acknowledging his leadership and valuable contributions to the sector.

Established in 1955, the Fertiliser Association of India serves as the apex representative body for the fertiliser industry, encompassing manufacturers, importers, distributors, equipment suppliers, and research institutions across India.

Human Interest

Goa State Horticultural Corporation Offers Coconut Plucking Services Across the State

Tanisha Cardozo

The Goa State Horticultural Corporation Ltd. (GSHCL) has announced the launch of its Coconut Plucking Service, providing convenient and affordable options for residents and farmers across the state. The service aims to promote safety and ease of harvesting, with trained coconut pluckers—locally known as padelis—available for hire.

Under this initiative, GSHCL has introduced flexible pricing structures to cater to different needs. For those with smaller numbers of palms, the rate is set at ₹100 per tree for 1 to 8 palms. For medium-scale requirements, a half-day service covering up to 18 palms is available at ₹1,100. A full-day service, covering up to 35 palms, is offered at ₹2,100, with an additional token of 10 coconuts for the plucker as part of traditional practice.

This service not only supports local farmers but also ensures that coconut harvesting is done safely and professionally. By offering an organized system for plucking, the corporation aims to make agricultural operations more efficient and accessible.

The initiative reflects GSHCL’s ongoing efforts to strengthen Goa’s horticultural ecosystem and provide meaningful services to the state’s agricultural community.

Human Interest

Elephant Omkar Returns to Torxem, Damages Crops and Sparks Alarm Among Farmers

Tanisha Cardozo

Elephant Omkar has once again made an unannounced return to Goa, and this time the village of Torxem is bearing the brunt. Local farmers have reported significant crop damage following Omkar’s recent appearance, adding to the rising anxiety around human-wildlife conflicts in the region.

Residents say the elephant trampled over fields in the area, destroying crops and leaving farmers distressed about potential future visits. Omkar has become somewhat of a known presence in Goa, previously appearing in other parts of the state and causing similar destruction.

Forest officials have confirmed that they are tracking Omkar’s movements in and around Torxem. Teams have been deployed to ensure there is no escalation in conflict between the elephant and local residents. Villagers, however, remain tense and are urging authorities to take proactive steps to redirect the elephant back to safer, forested areas.

This incident has reignited discussions around the need for long-term wildlife management policies in Goa. Conservationists say that as forests shrink and human settlements expand, such encounters will only become more frequent—unless intervention strategies are strengthened. From early warning systems to better habitat corridors, solutions have been proposed, but on-ground implementation remains a challenge.

For the residents of Torxem, the worry is immediate. Their livelihoods are directly impacted, and the threat of another visit looms large. For the state, this is yet another reminder of the delicate balance between development and wildlife conservation.

EduConnect

Agri Students Demonstrate Bordeaux Mixture Seed Treatment for Chorao Farmers

Tanisha Cardozo

Team Allycaral

Chorao, Goa – In a commendable initiative blending academic learning with community service, students from the College of Agriculture, Ella Farm, Old Goa conducted a live demonstration on seed treatment using Bordeaux Mixture for local farmers of Chorao village.

The outreach session was held at the premises of Shri Devaki Krishna Temple, and was designed to educate farmers on the benefits of using Bordeaux Mixture—a traditional, copper-based fungicide that enhances seed health and promotes sustainable farming.

The students actively engaged with the farming community, demonstrating preparation methods, safety measures, and the correct application process of the mixture. The session saw enthusiastic participation from farmers, many of whom shared their own farming challenges and welcomed this knowledge-driven initiative.

Such grassroots programs underscore the importance of practical agricultural education and community collaboration. They not only empower farmers with effective techniques but also give students real-world exposure to field challenges and rural engagement.

This initiative was yet another example of youth-led agricultural innovation that aligns with the broader goals of sustainable farming, rural development, and knowledge transfer.