Farmers, citizens to put green back in Guirim coconut trees

Nida Sayed | TNN | Updated: Sep 13, 2020, 06:40 IST

Using a ‘new rooting’ technique, farmers and citizens are teaming up to revive coconut trees along the Guirim stretch by using organic manure — a mix of sixteen bacteria among other agents. On Sunday, these citizens will dig up the soil around the stems of the trees and use organic manure to help the trees get fresh roots.

Using a ‘new rooting’ technique, farmers and citizens are teaming up to revive coconut trees along the Guirim ...Read More

PANAJI: Using a ‘new rooting’ technique, farmers and citizens are teaming up to revive coconut trees along the Guirim stretch by using organic manure — a mix of sixteen bacteria among other agents. On Sunday, these citizens will dig up the soil around the stems of the trees and use organic manure to help the trees get fresh roots.
Lined along the highway at the Guirim underpass, starting from St Anthony ward to Monte de Guirim, the line of coconut trees is on the verge of dying after, construction debris was dumped around the stems, choking off their roots and intake of soil nutrients.
“The palms of these trees have completely dried up. About 20 trees among them are in need of immediate revival, and will be rejuvenated using the technique of new rooting,” said Avertino Miranda, who is spearheading the initiative under Goa green brigade.
In April last year, heritage activist Prajal Sakhardande had rallied citizens to protest the cutting of around 20 coconut trees along the stretch to facilitate the expansion of the highway.
Porvorim MLA Rohan Khaunte had then stated that the existing coconut trees would be protected and efforts would be made to replant the trees during the monsoon.
Citizens said that even the saplings they have planted are not taken care of by the local civic body, and wilted away after a few months. “They have not only failed to maintain the new trees but also cut nearly fifty existing trees,” Miranda said.
There are thirty five trees, for which approximately 300kgs of manure will be applied for their revival. The manure is being provided by St Cruz-based community farmer Nestor Rangel. The manure is a mixture of vermicompost, rock phosphate, lime, muriate of potash, micronutrients and a mix of 16 good bacteria which will help the plant absorb minerals from the soil.
“The ph of the soil must be between 6 and 6.5 to ensure that the plant grows. If the soil is too acidic or too alkaline, the trees do not easily grow,” Rangel said. Soil ph refers to the measure of acidity and alkalinity in soils.