FY Botany Major/SEC – Field Study Trip

 Objective(s) of the Activity:

1. To link theoretical knowledge of plant diversity with field observations.
2. To relate theoretical concepts of nursery and gardening operations with practical field experience.

Activity Overview:

As part of the Semester I academic curriculum for the B.Sc. Botany (Major) course in Fundamentals of Botany (BOT-100) and the Skill Enhancement Course (SEC) in Nursery and Gardening (BOT-141), a field study trip was organized for 19 F.Y. B.Sc. Botany students to Laban’s Organic Farm (KOCL research farm), Nuvem, on 04^th October 2025. The visit was coordinated and accompanied by Dr. Puja Sakhalkar and Dr. Kim Rodrigues. The objective of the trip was to integrate theoretical learning on plant diversity with field observations and to relate the concepts of nursery and gardening operations with practical field experience.

Laban’s Organic Farm (KOCL Research Farm), located at Kirbhat-Nuvem, is owned and managed by Mr. Laban D’Souza, an award-winning farmer from Comba-Margao who practices integrated organic farming. Formerly a Quality Assurance Manager at United Breweries, Bethora, Mr. D’Souza took up farming after retiring from his distinguished career in the corporate sector.

During the visit, students observed a wide variety of plant species, including Moringa oleifera, Garcinia indica, Annona muricata, Curcuma longa, Centella asiatica, Piper nigrum, Persea americana, Passiflora edulis, Averrhoa carambola, Bunchosia glandulifera, Benincasa hispida, Theobroma cacao, Garcinia mangostana, Selenicereus undatus, and Pereskia aculeata. Mr. D’Souza elaborated on their distinctive characteristics and practical uses. Students also gained insights into various aspects of nursery management, including seed propagation, potting methods, vermicompost preparation, and overall garden maintenance. As part of the hands-on learning experience, they actively participated by sowing seeds of red amaranth and spinach in a prepared field plot.

The visit offered valuable insights into sustainable and integrated agricultural practices, including organic composting, efficient water management, and natural pest control methods. This experiential learning opportunity enhanced students’ ability to identify plant species and deepened their understanding of nursery operations and gardening fundamentals. Overall, the trip broadened their practical knowledge, fostered environmental consciousness, and emphasized the importance of sustainable, biodiversity-friendly farming practices.

Outcomes of the Activity:

1. Students learned to identify plants and their key characteristics.
2. Students understood the fundamentals of nursery management and gardening.

Beneficiaries: