Media Release

Udupi, Jul 14: In a bid to preserve the connection with soil among the younger generation and to raise awareness and understanding about agriculture, the youth from the Indian Catholic Youth Movement (ICYM) and Young Students Movement (YCS) of St Ann’s Church, Thottam, spent their Sunday engaging in traditional paddy planting in the fields of Bailkere.

The initiative was flagged off by the parish priest, Fr Denis D’Souza, who personally stepped into the field and joined the youth in planting saplings. Speaking on the occasion, he emphasized, “We all know that farmers are the backbone of our country. Unfortunately, due to various reasons like rising labor costs, shortage of workers, and more many farmers are withdrawing from agriculture, and fertile lands are being left barren. Today’s youth show little interest in farming, and it is vital to raise awareness among them. This initiative by our church’s youth and women aims not just to reconnect them with farming but also to donate the produce to the underprivileged.”

Wilma Fernandes, who oversees the field, added, “It is important for today’s youth to understand the value of rice. Programmes like these help them realize how the food we eat thrice a day reaches our plates. The goal is for them to experience the joy of understanding and participating in agricultural activities, and we hope this inspires them to get more involved in such initiatives.”

Speaking about the experience, ICYM president Riyon Martis shared, “It was a special experience for all of us to step into the paddy fields and plant saplings. We truly understood the hard work that farmers go through only when we tried it ourselves. Though it was hard work, it was also immensely joyful.”

Also present during the event were ICYM and YCS coordinators Leslie Aroza, Lavina Aroza, Alice Menezes, and women members Sunita Martis, Asha Martis, Doreen Fernandes and Joseph Pinto among others.