THURSDAY, JULY 04, 2024
Team Herald
MARGAO: Sending out a message to fellow Goans, especially the youth, to take up farming and preserve agricultural fields for posterity, the seminarians at Rachol Seminary along with members of the public carried out their annual community initiative of paddy cultivation in the fields of the seminary.
Locals from Rachol and neighbouring villages along with others from other parts of South Goa like Raia, Agalli-Housing Board-Borda, Nuvem, Margao, Loutolim and Shiroda had gathered at the seminary to join hands with the seminarians. There were over 125 people including the youth and children, for the collaborative exercise.
What made the occasion even more special was the words of praise, encouragement by the Archbishop of Goa and Daman Filipe Neri Cardinal Ferrão and new Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese Rev Fr Simião Purificação Fernandes, who also blessed the fields, the farmers and the seminarians.
The Rector of Rachol Seminary, Fr Donato Rodrigues and a teacher from Our Lady of Snows High School, Raia, Greta Oliveira, spoke on the occasion.
A group of farmers stuck to traditional methods as a way to teach the youngsters present how they used to cultivate the fields in the past so that such ground level knowledge is passed on to the future generation.
Food and refreshments were also provided while popular Konkani hit songs were also played.
Staff at Rachol Seminary said that the rice harvested from the fields is then kept for the seminarians for their food throughout the year and then whatever additional amount is harvested, is then sold. The seminarians called upon Goans not to leave any field abandoned and ensure that age-old agricultural practices are carried forward.
