Team Herald
MARGAO: Farmers in Tolleaband-Benaulim, engaged in paddy cultivation, are expressing disappointment over the significant damage caused by flooding due to the ongoing western bypass project. The flooding has severely impacted their fields, leaving them struggling with the aftermath.
This situation has raised serious concerns among local farmers about the effects of the infrastructure project on their agricultural activities, as the floods have made it difficult for them to sustain their paddy cultivation.
Taking note of the gravity of the situation, Fr George Quadros, popularly known as the 'Paddy Man of Goa', has stepped in with an innovative solution. He has introduced the use of drone technology to assess the extent of the damage to the paddy fields and to explore effective techniques for managing similar issues in the future.
A few days ago, Fr. Quadros, along with his team, visited the affected site to evaluate the damage and plan the revival of the fields using drone technology. During his visit, he observed the devastating impact of the floods, caused by heavy rains, on the paddy fields that had been recently transplanted.
Speaking to reporters, Fr. Quadros expressed his sadness over the condition of the submerged and damaged paddy fields.
"We felt very disheartened to see the paddy fields submerged and ruined," he said. "Therefore, we decided to utilize drone technology to aid in the revival of the paddy. The drones will be used for special spraying of urea over the fields to help restore the damaged crops."
He further emphasised the numerous challenges faced by the farmers of Tolleaband-Benaulim, particularly in light of the ongoing construction of the Western Bypass, which is affecting their fields.
Fr. Quadros also explained that his team will continue to monitor the situation over time to assess the effectiveness of the drone-assisted revival process.
"Since we have the technology available, why not use it to revive the fields so that farmers are encouraged to keep farming rather than abandoning their fields?" he stated.
Fr. Quadros is confident that this innovative use of drone technology to restore the damaged paddy fields will not only benefit the farmers of Benaulim but also serve as a model for other regions facing similar agricultural challenges. He hopes that this approach will inspire more farmers to adopt modern technology to mitigate the impact of environmental and infrastructural issues on their crops.