Harshini Brahmavar
Pics: Ivan Mascarenhas
Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi
Udupi, Jul 21: This is the story of a well-educated family that has not only given importance to agriculture in modern times while pursuing professional careers, but also epitomized how farming can still attract the youth.
Meet Higgins Rodrigues, a resident of Yenagudde near Katapady and his family. An advocate by profession, he has been into agriculture for the past 55 years, but he's not formally recognized as a farmer by the government. He has been farming on 17 acres of land, out of which 7 acres are his ancestral property while the rest is leased. His wife Rosy Maria, a non-teaching staff at SMS College, Brahmavar, has been pillar of support throughout.
What makes this family special is that the couple's two daughters Smitha and Priyanka - both well-qualified- also engage in agriculture along with their father. Smitha who is married holds an MBA degree and resides in Nashik in Maharashtra with her husband and has a job. But every year, she takes time off and comes down to help her father in the field.
Priyanka, the younger daughter, has done LLB and recently started practising her law profession. She too works in the field. The couple's another daughter, Deepa Rodrigues has completed MCom and is a lecturer at Government First Grade College, Thenkanidiyur. The couple also has a son - Vinod Rodrigues who is pursuing his first year BCom. Apart from them their cousin Nicole Pinto, studying third year civil engineering at Bantakal College also lends a hand in farming.
Also, Ashwini from Bengaluru, who is pursuing her first PU at St John's College, Shankarapura, has been staying with the family as a guest for the past two months. Ashwini, a native of Kerala, completed her SSLC and DTP course in Bengaluru and later married a person working for an NGO. About six months ago, her husband pursuaded her to complete her PU education, and church priest requested Ignatius to take her as a guest. She does not know Konkani, but has become a part of the family.
Says Priyanka, "All our pain and sickness is forgotten when we till the soil. The earth keeps our body and mind fresh. We seven members know each and every method in farming and have been trained by our father. Every morning and evening, we go to the field, work together and enjoy what we do."
All the members of the family work together in the fields every morning. Smitha says, "We are engaged in farming since six years alongside our education. Now we are familiar with manual work as well as use of machines in farming. It has now become a passion for us and we enjoy our work. "
Higgins said that the family has been getting results and running profitably with the exception of some days such as uncertain monsoons. He proudly says, "My children are doing a good job and I feel very happy about it. am fortunate to have such understanding children and feel blessed by God."
He added that it is time for the next generation to wake up and do something good for nature. "Mother Earth gives us air, water, and food but we humans release poisonous gases and pollute water for the sake of luxury. The day is near when we will have to pay dearly for this carelessness of ours."
He added, "To become a farmer, there is no need for any experience, every year of agriculture is a new experience and no one is an expert in farming. A touch of soil itself teaches a lesson."
Higgins says all the children do every task without any objection. He cultivates only paddy during the monsoon season and the field lies fallow the rest of the time. He has built over 20 artificial rain harvesting pits around his land and this helps maintain water level in the well till the end of the summer season. They depend upon rain for agriculture. This year the seed bed planting process was delayed due to uncertain rain fall. He has faith in God and self-confidence.
"Such activities are a form of exercise and increase our body’s resistance power. The final crop is the real reward for our effort. Now, vegetable crops get good value in the market. There are schemes promoting agriculture but farmers are unable to get it on time," said Higgins. He has coconut trees on seven acres, and has received subsidies for planting, tilling, and tractor machines. He says his colleagues and friends have also supported him in pursuing his passion.
"Government, farmer, and consumer are interlinked and also interdependent. So, they need to walk together," he added.
The 61-year-old Higgins is an athlete, farmer, and soldier, all rolled into one. His motto of working towards a goal ensures that he never gets old.