Mining-Affected Surla Farmers Get New Mantra: Make Your Own Biofertilizer

Ponda : In a significant shift from chemical farming to sustainable agriculture, Goa College of Agriculture, with support from the North Goa District Mineral Foundation Trust (NGDMFT), organized a special capacity-building programme for farmers from mining-affected areas of North Goa.The training focused on “Capacity Building, Production and Utilization of Biofertilizers and Biopesticides” – aimed at reducing input costs and restoring soil health in areas impacted by years of mining activity.

The programme was inaugurated in the presence of Shri Ratnakant Govenker, Dy. Director (Mines) & Member-Secretary, NGDMFT; Dr. Suresh Kunkalikar, Principal, Goa College of Agriculture; Dr. Govind Parab, Asst. Professor and Dr. Sachin Tendulkar, CEO, Mineral Foundation of Goa and PMU to DMF.More than 30 farmers, particularly from Surla village of Bicholim – one of the worst-hit mining villages – participated enthusiastically.Unlike routine lectures, the training was hands-on. Expert sessions were conducted by Dr. Govind Parab (Horticulture), Shashank Naik (Entomology) and Satish Patil, who demonstrated low-cost methods to produce biofertilizers and biopesticides using locally available materials.

A field visit gave farmers practical exposure to production units.The initiative aims to not only promote eco-friendly farming but also to make farmers self-reliant, reduce dependence on costly chemical fertilizers, and revive soil fertility in Goa’s mining belt.