
Mrs. Pobrinha Carvalho, a progressive farmer and emerging women
agripreneur from Divar, North Goa, has been recognized with the
prestigious IARI–Innovative Farmer Award 2026 and winner in the
Self-Help Groups category (Category 3) during the prestigious
FiiRE Goa (Forum for Innovation Incubation Research and
Entrepreneurship) event, highlighting her significant
contribution to rural entrepreneurship and innovation-led
livelihood development in Goa.
Mrs. Carvalho has transformed traditional backyard pig
rearing into a scientifically managed and diversified livestock
enterprise through continuous technical guidance from ICAR-CCARI.
After receiving training under AICRP on Pig and institutional
support under the Scheduled Tribe Component (STC), she adopted
scientific breeding (including Artificial Insemination),
biosecurity measures, vaccination protocols, balanced feeding
strategies, and hygienic management practices. From earning
barely ₹30,000 annually in the initial stage, she has expanded
her unit to over 85 adult pigs (including 15 breeding sows) and
now generates a net annual income of approximately ₹3.5 lakh.
Her integrated farming model further includes poultry,
ornamental fish rearing, field crops, and conservation of the
indigenous Agonda Goan pig breed.Her success story reflects
technology-led livestock entrepreneurship, tribal women's
empowerment, the conservation of indigenous genetic resources,
and the impact of farmer-to-farmer extension in coastal Goa.