Fr GeorgeQuadros Fr George Quadros 'Paddyman of Goa' "Collective mechanised farming is economical , reduces drudgery of manual labour and scarce farm hands"
Single handedly and with a foresight, vision he has embarked on a mission putting the Agricultural Dept on a notice.The tenancy Act which was intended to usher in green agricultural revolution failed to take off .The intial euphoria of land to the tillers failed to inspire the farmers to expected heights of production and selfsufficiency As there was no clause to revert the ownership, if lands were left fallow, the malaise of despondency has set in The state heavily depends on food imports from neighbouring States. The staff of the Dept are ensconced in the ivory towers of beauracracy without ear to the ground and have failed to enthuse the farmers.They did precious little to motivate farmers on the field in any aspects of Agriculture ,as they themselves had not felt the wonders of earth or soil their hands with dignity of labour .Most of the schemes were locked in their files gathering more dust.The economic level of families improved drastically so that they migrated from rural areas to cities abandoning their ancestral fertile lands in search of greener pastures.Farmers children with education no longer were rooted to their traditional profession of farming for a living.The crops depending on seasonal rains were encountering a great risk The crop insurance , a measure was not an attractive solution loaded heavily against the farmers.The water canals built at a cost and wherever they existed were dry serving as decorative, ornamental necklaces ,The traditional methods of ploughing ,use of fertilisers, harvesting, storig of seeds, .pesticides along with ever escalating cost of scarce farm labour, inputs etc made farming of paddy uneconomical . Further cheap ration quotas people did not see the need to cutivate their own crops.The Govt seeing the over dependence on necessary food supplies tried to motivate farmers with incentives and subsidies . Most of the incentives were cumbersome and overdelayed making them redundant.The cattle menance was overcome by fencing subsidy and water canals being charged here and there that led to two crops and rotation and security of plants and paddy. In this circumstances Fr.George Quadrops with his vision arrived on the scene at the crucial juncture. . His initiative and practical approach galvanised farmers by introducing mechanization on- a limited small scale.It was not only economical but freed from drudgery of maual labour and over dependence of seasoal farm labour . Fr. Quadros with dedicated devotion built his infrastructure without any easy financial resources .His doged determination enabled him to ovecome teethig troubles.. Besides he has built a dedicated team of highly qualified committed professionals to carry forward his vision of Agricutural revolution . His results have convinced the farmers about viability and feasibility of the process economically by mechanization at all levels. A mild and approachable farmer priest has worked wonders attracting willing followers, Farmers clubs ,enhancing greenery and putting fallow fields to productive use and thus helping Govt.Fr Quadros has various shcemes if the farmers want his services at nominal costs etc.Fortunately Govt has recognised his selfless efforts , contributions and urgent need to promptly settle subsidies to the cultivators or tennants. The Govt has profusely acknowledged his commitment as he has achieved what Govt failed to do with resources , administrative advantage and manpower. His movement has been so contagious that he and his team have spread these operations both in North and South. He has augumented his operations with new and advanced tools and presently is unable to meet the demand of requests for his services.. There is definitely a limit as to how far he can stretch as single individual with band of committed individuals to the cause who have sacrificed lucrative professional careers for a noble purpose of Agricultural revolution .His initiative if it increases and leads to cascading effect of drawing more entrepreneurs to the scene, then Govt should step in to promote all aspects of Agriculture.Fr has ventured into packing and marketing the product directly to enhance profitabilty, add value and which is a commendable initiative He should be enrolled not merely as the member of Agricultural Policy of Goa but use his expertise and replicate it with his field experience to promote such ventures with the help of financial schemes like industrial promotion.and establish farm cooperatives and eliminate middleman .His self interest , observation , experiments , management skills, foresight and love for Agriculture has transformed him from his chosen vocation as a priest into a praiseworthy model of Agricultural reformer .His interest in conservation of water,Soil , Rain water harvesting, crop rotation has earned dividends . Other areas like aviary, floricuture, pisiculture . Animal husbandry , horticulture etc be envisaged .Goa is heavily dependent on neighbouring states to provide its needs and self-sufficiency be an achievable goal. Goa is increasingly becoming a residential paradise without able to meet food requirements and increasing settlements drain natural resources like water .electricity, land and roadways In appreciation and acknowledgement for his motivations , contributions for agricutural revolution the Govt of Goa must honour him with a well deserved title of PADDYMAN OF GOA,bestowed by Hon 'ble Minister Subhas Shirodkar at the felicitation function at Farmers Club of Chinchinim.His initiative at Chinchinim has brought 50Ha of fallow land for 3 decades into productive use..There has been crop rotation and double crop of paddy.Fencing and irrigation facility has made it possible.⁰ Besides it has cascading effect on neighbouring villages ,where his services are in demand Fact File.... Born on 28.6.1956 to Eng.Constance / Rosy Quadros at Ambora.Studied at Loyola, Margao,Don Bosco Panjim and Lonawala.Joined Seminary in 1976 and was ordained priest on 18.12 1986.Associated with Salesians Don Bosco had his stint at Nasik, Sulkorna FARM and Agricultural College.Honoured as an Agriculturist on 01.10 2023 by All Goa Senior Citizens Federation , Margao 0n world elders day Nelson Lopes Chinchinim. Nelson Lopes Chinchinim https://lopesnelsonnat.wordpress.com
