Latest news with #XavierGracias
Time of India
6 days ago
- Health
- Time of India
Agasaim fields checked after toxic flow, locals want source traced fast
Panaji: With officials of the health department and the Goa State Pollution Control Board taking samples of the toxic waste flowing into Agasaim fields, villagers have demanded a thorough investigation. As the samples were being drawn on Wednesday, the locals sought assurance from the authorities that the source and nature of pollution would be swiftly detected. The wards of Moita, Padribhat, and Malwara have been facing hardship due to the influx of toxic waste into streams and paddy fields since May 23 after the first heavy showers. Though locals had complained to various authorities, an inspection with panchayat members, farmers, residents, and others was held more than a week after the flow was flagged. The officials visited the three sites and collected samples for analysis. While it is strongly suspected that the toxic waste may be sewage, fears are being raised that the toxic material — which has turned fields and water bodies black — has spread to more areas due to rain. The investigation into pollution must be immediate, said Xavier Gracias, a former sarpanch. 'Agasaim raises crops in an organic way and the local variety of brinjal has been accorded the GI tag,' he said. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Descubre cómo Amazon CFD puede ayudarte a invertir como un pro Empezar ahora Subscríbete Undo Julieta Ribeiro, a local panch, said that the farmers should get an assurance that their crops will not fail if grown. 'The pollution control board should study the oxygen levels (in the fields),' said Ramrao Wagh, an activist and AAP member. St Andre MLA Viresh Borkar had also petitioned the authorities to carry out an inspection.
Time of India
30-04-2025
- General
- Time of India
Farmers and their traditional harvests keep Goa's culinary heritage alive
Panaji: From the fields of Agasaim, Xavier Gracias tends to his patchwork of seasonal crops. Among them, one leafy jewel stands tallest—the red amaranthus, or tambdi bhaji, as it is fondly known in Goan homes. The burgundy pigmented plant is known for its nutritional wealth—rich in iron, calcium, and essential vitamins. Xavier smiles as he shares its secret, 'It thrives in our soil, matures in just under two months, and is always in demand,' he says. A mosaic of farmers—young and old, traditional and new—are sowing seeds of sustainability, heritage, and hope in Goa, with each furrow in the soil holding more than just a crop. In Taleigao, Madhavi Gawas, once a humble kitchen gardener, blossomed into a full-fledged farmer. Her garden is a vibrant chorus of brinjals, radishes, tomatoes, and okra. But her pride lies in the unique 'saathsheero bhendo'—the seven-ridged okra. Long and sculpted with seven distinct ridges, the okra, unlike any other lady finger in the world, remains succulent even after growing past a foot in length. 'The demand speaks for itself,' Gawas says. 'They fetch a good price, and I never have to market them aggressively. I merely pluck them in the morning, and by noon, they are all sold out.' In Saligao, Anjali Gad-Kerkar, a senior citizen and a woman farmer, nurtures the gavti mirsang—local Goan chillies known for their pungency and aroma that grow well in Pernem, Mapusa, and Canacona. Though age keeps her from physically visiting the marketplace every day, the chillies, alsando (cowpeas), pumpkins, and brinjals from her farm find their way to homes across Goa through govt horticulture outlets. 'Each chilli carries the essence of the land where it grew,' she says with pride. In Bicholim, Umesh Raut takes pride in his organic mission. His fields are fed by jeevamrut, a concoction made from cow dung, cow urine, jaggery, pulse flour, and soil. 'My crops were once under siege by pests, but applying jeevamrut allows me to grow chemical-free crops that are resilient and rich,' he said. At Cumbharjua, farmer Prasad Naik tends a lesser-known treasure—gavti kandem, Goa's indigenous onions. Though the sight of these onions is increasingly declining in markets, they flourish quietly at Naik's farm, destined for simmering pots and aromatic gravies that define Goan kitchens. These stories, scattered across talukas, reflect the deep-rooted respect for the Goan land, according to the Agriculture Technology Management Agency. 'These farmers have a lot of potential and traditional knowledge. We are giving them demonstrations and training in various agricultural aspects, and the results that are yielded are evident,' said Prasad Parab, project director, ATMA-North Goa.
