The tourism industry is one of the biggest economies in Goa. which has numerous people coming in Everyday from all over the world. Even if we leave the tourists, Goa has a substantial population to feed. Adding to problem is that there are very few people in Goa who still practice farming as a profession.
Rice is the main crop that is cultivated in Goa. the rabi crops are cultivated during the monsoon and Karif during the winter season. In the past the Goan farmers would spend a whole day toiling in the hot sun. Their houses were built using mud or laterite stone and clay tiles which were obtained locally. The courtyard was made from cow dung. The cattle would have their own shed and the farmers would take care of them like they were their own family.
Nowadays most of the manual work with traditional tools is been shifted to modern machinery. The workload has become less and the yield has increased. But low prices has made it a very unviable profession.
“If you ate today thank a farmer…!”
The farmers in Goa might have a small population than the rest of the country, all they need is a bigger market to sell their produce. Improving the marketing infrastructure for the Goan farmers may also boost their sales to export the produce outside the state.
The future of Goan farmers includes hinterland tourism and ecotourism where farmers can earn by conducting agricultural activities for the tourist on their farms to earn a living. This is a crucial step in helping the Goan farmers achieve greater success.
Farmland in the state is still cultivated with a variety of different crops which needs to continue. The farming industry in Goa definitely requires a boost to make it a lucrative profession. Goan farmers are ‘susegad’, not lazy but peaceful at mind and content with whatever they have.
