Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (EP)

Udupi, Jul 13: There is talk that farmers are turning their back from agriculture. But the Catholic Sabha unit at Sacred Heart Church in Kolalgiri near here has started a unique project of growing paddy in a barren field and distributing the rice after processing in the mill among poor people across all religions.

Nearly 60 members of Catholic Sabha Kolalgiri led by president Ashwin Roche got down in the 55 cents barren field near Arooru Kenjebail belonging to Vijayadas Shetty on Sunday, July 10 and planted paddy saplings. The members participated with vigour and enthusiasm.

The organization has spent between Rs 7,000 to Rs 10,000 for the purpose. Local resident and treasurer of the organization, Vincent D' Souza will look after the fields on a daily basis.

The members will participate in cutting the full grown paddy. The grass will be distributed to byre or the needy. The paddy will be sent to the rice mill for processing. Nearly 10 quintals of rice is expected as yield. Catholic Sabha has ventured into such an experiment for the first time and intends to continue it every year.

Catholic Sabha Kolalgiri which is completing 25 years has 225 members. Several pro-society programmes such as toilets for the poor, public bus stands and podiums have been taken up on the occasion of silver jubilee.

Udupi diocese president Valerian Fernandes, zonal president Steven Prakash Louis, Kolalgiri church vice president of pastoral council Navin Fernandes, secretary Queenie Mary, local panchayat president Raju Kulal and owner of the field Vijayadas Shetty visited and encouraged the endeavour.