Dears, It is the news in the local newspapers. The Navhind Times of 05 March, 2006 carries the all important anouncement made by the Minister for Agriculture at the inauguration of the GREEN MORMUGAO plant exhibition in Vasco, that he would "set up the Zonal Agriculture Office in the port town of Vasco within the next 8 days."
Mormugao is the only taluka in Goa that is still without a Z.A.O. Remote talukas like Pernem, Sattari and Sanguem have had Zonal Agriculture Offices since the 1970s. However, the taluka of Mormugao continues to be served by the Salcete Z.A.O based in Margao. With an increasing shift from paddy cultivation to horticultural crops like coconut, cashew, mango and Kokum as well as flower crops and the upgradation of the Horticultural cell of one Assistant Director and two Officers to have cashew and coconut cells each with as many officers and addition of officers for state sector and central sector schemes [Rs.7.83 crores have been recently allotted by NHM], Mormugao can find its place in the sun with a fullfledged Zonal Agriculture Office with one Agriculture Officer, three Assistant Agriculture Officers, Field Assistants and clerical support. Earlier, on 23 February, 2006 the Mormugao Municipal Council led by Mr.Sharad aka Nitin Chopdekar and Vice-Chairperson Ms.Kishori Haldankar, passed an unanimous resolution calling upon the government to set up a Z.A.O. in Vasco. The Chief officer of MMC, Mr. Elvis Gomes, played a very supportive role in the action that will be a historical epoch for Vasco. Vasco da Gama was originally designated as the capital of Goa in the 1500s but lost to Old Goa and to Panaji in the subsequent centuries due to constant raids by neighbouring kings. the island of Ilhas [Tiswadi] was safe as the Indian kings did not have strong navies and relied on land routes for military operations. ........................................... Mickky promises ZAO for Mormugao Agriculture Minister Francisco Pacheco inaugurated the 'Green Mormugao' Plant Exhibition at the Municipal Garden, Vasco, in the presence of Rajendra Arlekar, MLA; Simon D'Souza, former MLA; Dr.H.Y.Karapurkar, Chairman of Goa State Biodiversity Board and Elvis Gomes, Chief Officer of MMC; among other dignitaries. Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Pacheco said that he fully supports the demand of Mormugao Municipal Council and the people of Mormugao taluka that a Zonal Agriculture Office (Z.A.O.)should be established in this taluka as in the other ten talukas of Goa. He welcomed the resolution passed by the MMC on 23 February, 2006, and said that he would have the Z.A.O. established by his Ministry in the next week if the MMC provides office space to house it till alternate premises are found. Mr.Pacheco then went round the exhibition of flowering,ornamental plants and bonsai brought by various competitors from Vasco and Mormugao taluka. He also showed keen interest in the exhibits of Goacan, Pilar Nature Farm, Chemtrol and the plant nurseries. The exhibition and competitions are organised by the St.Andrew's Social Forum in association with Mormugao Municipal Council and Botanical Society of Goa. The exhibition and competitions at GREEN MORMUGAO were open to public.The drawing competition for school students in two catergories, Std. V to VII and Std VIII to SSC, drew unprecedented participation that crossed the double century mark even as students are preparing for their exams. Drawing paper was provided by the organisers. The theme of the drawing was 'Green Mormugao' and many young artists appropriately added the sea and ships to the landscapes they painted. Ms. Electra Rebelo, Ms. Ruth Henriques and Ms.Michelle Coelho co-ordinated the event. Competitions in Vegetable carving, flower arrangements drew moderate response of 8 participants each. Ms. Electra Rebelo, co-ordinated the two events. The watermelon eating competition held on Saturday 04 March had as many as 22 contestants, mostly school students. Master eater at fruit and vegetable eating contests, Mr. Suresh Naik, ate almost a kilo a minute. The boys were not far behind and ate as much as 1.94 kg while the girls ate upto 1.42 kg of watermelon in 3 minutes flat. Mr. Anand Jadhav, BSG member and Horticulture Officer to the Governor of Goa, and Ms. Michelle Coelho co-ordinated the event. Participants had to bring their own materials for the competitions. There is no entry fee. The judging for the first All Mormugao Home Garden competition organised by the St.Andrew's Social Forum, MMC and Botanical Society of Goa was held on 26 February, 2006. The criteria for judging the gardens were : Presentation/Visual impact, health of plants, cleanliness of the garden and care of plants.Bonus points were given for re-use of waste water, composting of garden/kitchen waste and planting/maintenance of road side trees near the competitor's house.The prizes will be given at the GREEN MORMUGAO Plant Exhibition on Sunday, 5 March,2006, at 4.30 P.M. at Parque Infantil/ Children's Park, opposite LaPaz Gardens, Vasco -Goa. Earlier, Mr. Simon D'Souza welcomed the people for the event. Mr. Rajendra Arlekar and Elvis Gomesalso spoke while Fr.Nascimento Mascarenhas, author of the book "Mormugao's Rich Heritage" spoke about the history of the Children's Park in Vasco. Michelle Coelho Organising Secretary, Simon D'Souza President GREEN MORMUGAO St.Andrew's Social Apostolate Forum ..................................................... The link to the new Botanical Society of Goa website. http://bsg.goa-india.org/ Viva Goa. Miguel