As part of the academic curriculum requirement for the semester I Botany – Major & SEC courses on Fundamentals of Botany & Nursery and Gardening, a field study trip was organized for 31 F.Y. B.Sc. Botany – Major/SEC students to RasRaj Goa Farms, Mollem on 4th October, 2024. The students were accompanied by three faculty namely Ms. Meena Verdes, Dr. Kim Rodrigues and Ms. Pratiksha Dabolkar for the field study trip during which the theoretical aspects of plant diversity, routine operations in plant nursery management and gardening were correlated with field observation.
RasRaj Goa Farms is owned by Mr. Vandit Naik and Mrs. Priyanka Naik, both agriculture graduates from Don Bosco College of Agriculture, Sulcorna. Mr. Vandit Naik bagged the highest state award of the state government for farmers – the Krishi Ratna Award for the year 2021 for his innovative efforts towards sustainable agriculture. The couple also work as agriculture consultants and give lectures and motivational talks to encourage more youth to join agriculture as agriculturist cum agri-entrepreneurs. During the field study trip, Mrs. Priyanka Naik explained that in their farm, the concept of integrated farming is practiced which combines different plant cultivation, animal husbandry and vermicomposting to create a balanced, eco-friendly farming system and reducing external inputs like use of synthetic fertilizers. Students observed vermicomposting pits and were guided through the steps involved in preparing vermicompost i.e. creating a layered environment to facilitate efficient decomposition, ensuring proper moisture and temperature for optimal earthworm activity. The farm owners also produce a liquid manure i.e. ‘Panchgavya’ which is made from cow milk, cow dung, cow urine, curd and desi ghee. Panchgavya acts as a very good immunity booster and plant growth promoter. Students also observed a variety of plants such as wild turmeric, spice plant, bush pepper, pomelo, areca nut, avocado, nutmeg, peanut butter, etc. Mr. Vandit Naik also explained about beekeeping to the students.
Students gained valuable insights on sustainable agricultural practices emphasizing the importance of integrated farming methods to maintain a balanced ecosystem. Students were later guided to prepare a field report with reference to various aspects pertaining to plant diversity, plant nursery management and gardening observed during the field study trip.