NEWS
Paddy Man of Goa: George Quadros Honoured for Agricultural Contribution in Goa
Father George Quadros, Salesian of the Province of Panjim, was honoured with a Memento of Appreciation on World Elders Day in recognition of his sincere and dedicated service to the people of Goa in agriculture on October 1. The Government of Goa, Directorate of Social Welfare, in collaboration with All Goa Senior Citizen Federation and Ravindra Bhavan, Margao, through the Honourable Minister for Social Welfare, Government of Goa, Shri Subhash Phal Dessai and MLA Margao Constituency, Shri Digambar Kamat, honoured Father George Quadros.
Father Quadros was honoured as the promoter of mechanized community farming in Goa, using the latest liquid spray of fertilizer and pesticides with drones for the first time. The new method has realized the long-standing wish of the people of Goa to bring back fallow lands again under paddy cultivation. The venture has also added the advantage of cutting down the cost of farming by one-third of the cost incurred earlier by the farmers. Father Quadros has successfully brought 400 hectares under paddy cultivation in Goa, reviving the love for agriculture and the environment among the youth of Goa. Father Quadros will join the committee by the Government of Goa to draft the Agriculture Policy for Goa.
Father Quadros’ venture into agriculture began in 2000 when he headed a watershed project for seven villages covering an area of 21,000 hectares. The success had a positive effect on his love and passion for agriculture, water conservation, and improving and promoting more areas (fallow lands) for cultivation, resulting in better livelihoods for farmers in Goa.
The Farmers Club of Chinchinim felicitated him, and the Minister for Water Resources, Shri Subash Shirodkar, praised him as the Paddy Man of Goa in the presence of MLA Engineer Cruz Silva.