May 5, 2014
Visit a farm brimming with cucumbers, flowers and sugarcane at Bethora-Nirankal in Ponda and you could well assume that the three Patil brothers have been professional farmers for long.
That is, until they tell you that they took to farming only after they lost their livelihood due to a lull in mining operations since September 2012.
Having sustained heavy losses after their mining trucks were forced to lie idle, the three Patil brothers did not lose hope and instead, switched to the production of cucumbers, gerbera (African daisies) and sugarcane.
Their efforts are now being hailed by the Ponda Zonal Agricultural Office (ZAO) as a shining example to other mining-dependent persons in self-employment and entrepreneurial skills.
“Left with no alternative when mining came to an abrupt halt, we had to do something quickly and effectively to earn our livelihood,” said Prasad Patil, one of the three brothers, who has cultivated cucumbers in one hectare of their land. Luck also played a key role in their success story.
“We began cultivating cucumbers, when some farmers from Kolhapur (Maharashtra) happened to visit Goa last year and evinced interest in our activity. They offered to guide us in the art and skill of cultivation,” recalled Prasad.
The Patil brothers then went to Kolhapur to seek necessary training in cultivation and later started the production in their vast uncultivated land at Nirankal-Bethora.
Assistance also came in the form of the Ponda ZAO, when officials supported them and informed them of various government schemes for production, including fencing, machinery, poly-house, etc.
One Patil brother, Preetam, is involved in the cultivation of gerbera and other flowers, which are in high demand at weddings, parties, functions and birthday celebrations. The other brother, Preetesh, is involved in the cultivation of sugarcane, while Prasad cultivates cucumber on their land.
Their hard work paid off handsomely and within a short while, Prasad started reaping the benefits from cucumber cultivation even though the income is comparatively lower than what they would have earned from their mining trucks.
“I earned a profit of almost Rs 1 lakh in cucumber production, after deducting all expenses on the production. In the last three months, 3,500 kgs of cucumbers were sold to the horticulture department outlets, while 2,000 kgs of cucumbers were sold in the open market in different cities of Goa. Local cucumbers are tastier as compared to those imported from Belgaum to the Goa market,” said Prasad.
Prasad pointed that his experiences with farming have had dual benefits ~ self-employment for the family and self-sufficiency for the State.
“What is important is that we are now living happily through this income, rather than on unpredictable mining activity. We urge the Goan youth to use uncultivated land in their possession to begin agriculture production as this will not only be profitable to them, it would also help the State to be self-reliant in vegetables, fruits and flowers,” says Prasad.
“If the government offers greater encouragement, other unemployed youth could also be attracted to farming activity,” he added.
Elated by the success of the Patil brothers, Ponda ZAO Nitin Bakhle said the three brothers are perfect role models for the local youth in the State.
“If one decides to undertake cultivation of any product which has high market demand, it is a definite source of income and livelihood,” said Bakhle.
“Vast tracts of land in Goa still remain uncultivated and the youth should come forward to avail of government benefits, which include schemes and subsidies for machinery, seeds, fencing, etc,” said Bakhle.
“The main requirement is that the youth should be convinced to undertake farming activity. Cultivation of gerbera, cucumber, sugarcane, etc, by the three Patil brothers at Bethora is a wonderful example of products which have a high demand in the Goan market,” added Bakhle.
http://www.heraldgoa.in/News/Local%20News/Left-out-of-mining-three-brothers-mine-other-riches-on-their-land/88295.html
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