Field day cum distribution programme under SCSP at Usgao, Goa

 

    ICAR-Central Coastal Agricultural Research Institute (ICAR-CCARI), Goa, organized a Field Day-cum-Input Distribution Program under the Scheduled Caste Sub-Plan (SCSP) on 25 April 2025 at Usgao, Ponda, Goa. During the event, essential farming inputs including grass cutting machines, feed, tanks, and fish traps were distributed to the Deepasthambam Mahila Society. This society comprises about 100 Scheduled Caste farmers and farmwomen, and is actively engaged in primary farming activities such as vegetable and poultry farming, as well as secondary agricultural enterprises like the production of spice blends, papad, chips, cutlets, fingers, balls, and nuggets.

 

    Dr. Sreekanth G.B., Senior Scientist (Fisheries Resource Management), ICAR-CCARI, interacted with the farmers, explaining various technologies and packages of practices available at the institute across agriculture, livestock, and fisheries sectors. The farmers showed keen interest in adopting technologies related to rice, vegetables, horticultural crops, duck farming, goat farming, and fish culture. They also requested additional input support under the scheme, including processing equipment, crates, trolleys, planting materials, fertilizers, and fish and livestock resources.

 

    Dr. Sreekanth assured the farmers of full scientific, technical, and input support from ICAR-CCARI for enhancing their farming initiatives. Demonstrations on the operation of the grass cutting machine and estuarine fish trap were also conducted during the program. A total of 15 farmers, including 12 women members from the society, actively participated. The farmers expressed their sincere gratitude to ICAR-CCARI for reaching out to support their agricultural activities and pledged their wholehearted cooperation towards the institute’s ongoing research and development efforts.