
ICAR-CCARI Empowers Women Farmers of Surla, Goa on Balanced Fertilization and Waste-to-Wealth Practices
As part of the ongoing National Campaign on Balanced Fertilization, Dr. Shripad Bhat, Senior Scientist (Agricultural Economics) from ICAR-Central Coastal Agricultural Research Institute (ICAR-CCARI), Old Goa, conducted a targeted field interaction and capacity-building session for the farming community of Surla village, Bicholim, Goa on19-05-2026. The program saw the active participation of 18 enthusiastic women farmers, highlighting the pivotal role of women farmers in driving sustainable agricultural transformations at the grassroots level.
During the technical session, Dr. Bhat strongly apprised the participants on the economic and environmental urgency of reducing the excessive and indiscriminate use of chemical fertilizers. Focusing on agricultural economics and farm profitability, he demonstrated how transitioning toward organic inputs, on-farm composting, and adopting 'Farm Waste-to-Wealth' practices can drastically slash cultivation costs. By converting local bio-waste into nutrient-rich compost, the farmers were informed on how to rebuild soil health while significantly enhancing their net household returns, paving the way for long-term economic self-reliance.