Tag: Sustainable Agriculture

EduConnect

DMC College Hosts Workshop on Mushroom Cultivation as Agribusiness

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Written by Intern Rency Gomes || Team Allycaral 

The Entrepreneurship and Startup Development Cell of DMC College, in association with the Department of Commerce, conducted a workshop on “Mushroom Cultivation as an Agribusiness” on 5 February 2026, aimed at encouraging entrepreneurial skills and awareness of sustainable agricultural ventures among students.


The session was led by Dr. Ashish Prabhugaonkar, Assistant Professor from the Department of Botany, Dhempe College of Arts and Science, Miramar, Goa, who served as the resource person. He explained the different types of mushrooms suitable for cultivation and discussed their nutritional value, commercial viability and growing market demand.

A hands-on practical demonstration formed the highlight of the workshop, where students were guided through the complete process of mushroom cultivation, including substrate preparation, spawning techniques and ideal growth conditions. The interactive nature of the session helped participants understand how mushroom farming can be developed into a profitable agribusiness.

A total of 38 students from DMC College attended the workshop, which was appreciated for its practical orientation and relevance to entrepreneurship, self-employment and agribusiness opportunities.

Goan Pulse

GFDC Sylvan Cashew Nuts Receive GI Tag Approval, Marking a Proud Milestone for Goa

rencygomes02

Written by Intern Rency Gomes ||Team Allycaral 

The GI Tag recognition marks an important step towards protecting Goa’s indigenous produce while strengthening the identity of Goan cashews in national and global markets. This certification safeguards the distinct characteristics of GFDC Sylvan Cashew Nuts and ensures that their origin and quality are officially recognised.



The initiative has been supported by the Department of Science & Technology, Government of Goa, and is aimed at building a strong and credible brand for GFDC. Through value addition and enhanced market recognition, the GI Tag is expected to ensure fair and sustainable returns for orchard owners and cashew farmers, thereby empowering local farming communities.

This milestone reinforces Goa’s commitment to preserving its agricultural heritage while promoting responsible branding and market access for traditional produce.
From local orchards to global recognition, the GI Tag approval strengthens Goa’s cashew legacy and positions GFDC Sylvan Cashew Nuts as a symbol of quality, authenticity, and tradition.

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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.

EduConnect

Agriculture Students Champion Vermicomposting for Greener Goa in Chorão

Tanisha Cardozo

Agriculture students from Goa took a significant step toward promoting sustainable farming practices by organizing a live vermicomposting demonstration for local farmers in Chorão village. The initiative was part of their RAWE (Rural Agricultural Work Experience) programme, a key component of agricultural education that connects classroom learning with practical fieldwork.

The demonstration showcased the process of vermicomposting — the use of earthworms to convert organic waste into nutrient-rich compost. Farmers were introduced to simple, cost-effective methods of setting up and maintaining composting systems on their farms, highlighting the benefits of improved soil health, reduced dependence on chemical fertilizers, and enhanced crop yields.

The event emphasized the importance of waste-to-resource conversion, not just as an environmental necessity but also as an economically viable solution for rural farming communities. Students took the lead in educating farmers on how agricultural and kitchen waste could be transformed into valuable compost, fostering a circular economy at the grassroots level.

This hands-on initiative reflects a growing awareness among the youth of the need for eco-conscious agricultural practices. By empowering farmers with knowledge and practical skills, the program contributes to Goa’s larger mission of fostering greener, more sustainable farming across the state. The success of the demonstration in Chorão stands as a model for future collaborations between educational institutions and local communities.

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 ICAR-KVK North Goa organises 27th Scientific Advisory Committee Meeting To Bridge Tech Adoption Gaps

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Written by Intern Queeny George M.H , Team Allycaral

The ICAR-KVK 27th Scientific Advisory Committee meeting is organised today, in terms of ‘Bridging the gap between Technology generation and adoption’. The director of ‘ICAR-CCARI’ has emphasized on ‘Bridging the bridge gap between Technology and its adoption. Dr Praveen Kumar, Director, ICAR-CCARI of North Goa has given the importance of ICAR-KVK meeting demanding technology initiations and demonstrating natural farming units, even demo on terrace gardening units and also demand driven technology service on enhancing climate resilient livelihood.


Dr. S.K. Roy, Director, ICAR–ATARI, Pune (Zone VIII), appreciated KVK’s efforts in addressing farmers’ challenges during the Viksit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan. He stressed the importance of convergence with line departments, promotion of salt-tolerant varieties, silage-making as a sustainable fodder option, and entrepreneurship development. Dr. M.S. Gawankar, Associate Director, Research, Regional Fruit Research Station, Vengurla, emphasized large-scale demonstrations in cashew, paddy, and vegetables to boost productivity and profitability.

The meeting was attended by representatives from NABARD, ATMA North Goa, Fisheries Department, scientists from KVK South Goa, and progressive farmers, who actively contributed with constructive suggestions. The deliberations focused on strengthening KVK’s outreach, enhancing technology adoption, and improving program impact. The experts have the ‘Action Taken Report’ outlined from the previous ‘Scientific Advisory Committee’ [SAC] for this year’s ‘Action Plan’.