Chiwai and Tuem prove the economic viability and beauty of farming
Nivruti Shirodkar
Pernem: In a period of remarkable change, agriculture is emerging as an economically viable and rewarding career, challenging traditional government job preferences. Shreya Naik and Ravi Naik of Chiwai Tuem embody this change, demonstrating that with dedication, farming can bring in more income than government jobs.
The enterprising couple engages in various agricultural activities including growing vegetables, fruits, flowers and rice. In particular, Shreya Naik is focusing on growing various types of vegetables and fruits, including those that are popular as salads among foreign tourists.
This year, their vast fields have harvested a variety of crops, including watermelon, two varieties of wal (long beans), chili peppers, tambudi baji (red amaranth), radish, bitter melon, groundnuts, and arasande (black-eyed pea). Masu. The couple has also dedicated significant areas to the cultivation of marigold flowers, especially for festivals such as Chaturthi, Diwali and Dussehra, further enhancing the beauty of the farm’s landscape.
Shreya Naik emphasizes that civil servants work about eight hours a day, but farmers can earn the same or even more by working half that time in the fields. However, she emphasizes the importance of developing a passion for the profession. She believes that if the government promptly compensates farmers for losses caused by unexpected disasters, more young people will be inclined to choose agriculture over work.
Farmers in the area have expressed concern that animals such as cows, bison and monkeys are entering their fields from the hills and damaging their crops. They have sought the intervention of the forest department to control and prevent such encroachments. Deforestation, coupled with wild animals seeking water, is leading to an increase in human-animal conflicts. Farmers claim that timely compensation from the Ministry of Agriculture will reignite their enthusiasm for farming.
Ravi Naik is optimistic that with the right support and compensation, a green revolution in agriculture is possible and not a distant dream. Their success story is a testament to the potential of farming as a thriving and rewarding livelihood.