MARGAO: The Chinchinim Panchayat recently organised an awareness and training programme for women in shell art and mud crab cultivation, in a bid to empower local women and revive traditional agricultural and aquaculture practices. The event, held at the Chinchinim Community Hall, was conducted in collaboration with the Directorate of Fisheries and the Krishi Vigyan Kendra under the Directorate of Agriculture.
The shell art training, led by experts from the Directorate of Fisheries, aimed to equip women with the skills to create beautiful art pieces from shells, tapping into Goan cultural heritage and promoting local craftsmanship. Meanwhile, the Krishi Vigyan Kendra provided a training session on mud crab cultivation, a profitable and sustainable practice that has garnered increasing interest among local farmers.
In his opening address, Sarpanch Frank Viegas spoke about the significance of Goan staple fish curry and rice, describing it as "dear to our hearts." He highlighted the Panchayat’s initiative to revive agriculture and fishponds, which are integral to Goan culture and cuisine. "Our efforts are aimed at not just preserving our heritage but also creating sustainable livelihoods for our community members," Viegas noted.
In addition to the training sessions, the Panchayat distributed around 100 coconut saplings to the local farmers' club, to encourage coconut cultivation, a key aspect of Goa's agrarian economy.
The event was well-attended and received positive feedback from participants, who expressed appreciation for the practical knowledge and support provided.