DBCA CHIMERA Thoda hatt ke!!!

Vol.6 No. 2 Don Bosco College of Agriculture, Sulcorna-Goa 15thJan 2018

Soil…the Source Of Infinite Life!!! - Priyanka Parab, T.Y. B.Sc.(Agri)

Soil is the unconsolidated mineral or organic material on the surface of the Earth that serves as a natural medium for the growth of the plants. We fill our

stomachs by working on soil and creatively using it to grow crops and maintain our livelihood. However, in the long run we have deteriorated the soil from its

natural form and it has lost its fertility, become less productive or even dead. To make man aware about soil health, to protect the soil and to use it wisely,

the World Soil Day is celebrated on 5th December annually with a specific theme each year. The theme for 2017 was “Caring for the Planet starts from the

Ground”.

This theme had an aim to communicate messages on the importance of soil quality for food security, healthy ecosystems and human well-being. To inculcate

this important message to our future agriculturists our soil science department organized a programme on 20th December, 2017 to make our students aware

about the importance of maintaining the soil health. Our Assistant Professor of soil science, Satish Patil Sir, organized a seminar on various topics with some

students as Resource Persons. At the start, Satish Patil Sir briefed us about the importance of the day. This was followed by Miss Kavita Pujari , a student

from F.Y. B.Sc.(Agri), who gave us the knowledge about the soil formation process, which helped us to know how this important resource has originated

through which we grow crops and livestock for all the essential food requirements of our body.

Students presenting their respective topics in seminar “Caring for the Planet starts from the Ground” Question & Answer session

We know that there is a wide variety of colours and textures in soil throughout our country, due to various geo-morphological reasons. Mr. Akshay Parab, a

student from T.Y. B.Sc.(Agri), informed us about the soils of India and specifically of our State, Goa. It was very interesting to know how the soils differ in

every state. A student from S.Y. B.Sc.(Agri), Mr. Joswin D'Souza briefed us about the various problems and causes of soil illness. One such reason which was

the Green Revolution in India , a period since the mid-1960s when agricultural production in India was increased due to mechanization and use of agro-

chemicals but this had some severe adverse effects not only on environment but also on soil health.

We get to reap what we sow: using these hazardous chemical fertilizers and poisonous insecticides and herbicides on the crops to increase their yields have,

in long run, had adversely affected the soil health. To know more about the impact of these agro-chemicals our Asst. Professor of Entomology, Rajan Shelke

Sir, guided us on the impacts of fertilizers and pesticides in soil. Organic agriculture is the only answer for sustainability of soil health and productivity. This

was the idea which was discussed by Satish Patil Sir through his PowerPoint presentation which showed us how one can even be the profitable and healthy

by growing crops organically.

To know about organic agriculture is not enough; we have to also know how to prepare and use organic fertilizers and compost, and also how to maintain the

micro-organisms in the soil to keep it alive. A student from T.Y. B.Sc.(Agri), Miss Vrundan Parab, explained the different methods of composting while her

classmate, Miss Shivama Oppari briefed us about the bio-pesticides that help to keep the poisons of fertilizers away from agriculture.

Use of these various chemical fertilizers in our fields has led to various health problems by the presence of these chemicals in our food chain. Now people

prefer organic food products and, hence, farmers are switching to organic farming. Certification of the farm and its produce is very important to recognize

the product as organic. Mr. Ryan Mascarenhas from S.Y. B.Sc.(Agri), explained to us the procedures for organic certification. At the end of each session the

students were given the opportunity to ask the queries related to each topic presented and to clear their doubts or get additional information about it. Our

subject specialist professors were at hand to clear the most of the queries raised by the students. It was very interactive and interesting session and we got to

know the various soil related aspects or organic agriculture.

WORLD SOIL DAY Saniya Makandar, F.Y.B.Sc.(Agri)

World Soil Day (WSD) is held annually on 5 December, this day was chosen because it corresponds with the official birthday of H.M. King Bhumibol Adulyadej,

the King of Thailand, who officially sanctioned the event in 2002 along the partnership of FAO. It is celebrated as a means to focus attention on the

importance of healthy soil and advocating for the sustainable management of soil resources.

This year the WORLD SOIL DAY was celebrated by our college on 20 December. The whole program was informative and interactive one with a Q & A session

after every presentation to help clear our doubts. There were 8 presentation out of which 6 were made by students and 2 by teachers. This time the focus

was given on the how to conserve soil resource and to manage its sustainable use. In this seminar, we learned everything from soil formation till conservation

and also about organic farming- the choice is ours whether to adopt organic practices or not. We also got to know about different bio pesticides, their use

and the harmful effects of chemical fertilizers. Every year the FAO dedicates a theme on every World Soil Day:-

2014 theme 2015 2016 2017 theme

“Soil- Where the food begins” -“International year of soils” - “Soils and Pulses :Symbiosis of Life” “Caring for the Planet starts from the Ground”

Christmas Celebration - Shivama Oppari, T.Y.B.Sc(Agri.)

Oh! What a joyous occasion to be celebrated in our college. It was the 1st time that we had a cultural program to celebrate the Christmas in college since

after the college has begun. This year Christmas was in the middle of the semester instead of on the last day of the Semester End Assessment exams, as it

was in the first two years of this new college. We had the celebrations on the 21st December 2017. We had on-stage and off-stage events. The off-stage

competitions were the Star making, Christmas Wreath making and Card making while the on-stage events included a beautiful and meaningful carol singing

competition and one more item of choice by each class. We had a beautiful Crib done by Vijay Belgi. The programme started with the introduction as to why

we celebrate Christmas. It continued with the class-wise carol singing by all the three classes. Later we had the announcement of the winners of all the off

stage competitions and we had our winners chosen on the basis of their creativeness, neatness, innovations and the hard work that they have put into it.

Later we continued the class wise performances like the dance presented by the F.Y.B.Sc , an action-song from the film “Barfi” by the S.Y.B.Sc and dance by

the T.Y.B.Sc. (Agri) students. All the performance were really good. Some student surprised the teachers as well their fellow-students by showing their acting ,

singing and dancing skills which were not known before. Later we celebrated our Director, Fr. Allwyn D'Souza’s Silver Jubilee of Ordination in the presence

of the Rector, Fr. Bernardino de Almeida. We even had some games for teachers. Snacks were served to all. We had a great and joyous celebration.

(Clock-wise) The class-wise STARS and Carol singing , T.Y, S.Y and F.Y. students Song , dance and Silver Jubilee celebrations at Christmas

Study trip to Vengurla -Tanvy Damodar Surlekar, T.Y.BSc(Agri)

On 15th December 2017 morning T. Y B.Sc.(Agri) students started their journey towards Vengurla with Asst. Professor of Extension, Dr.Rakesh Kawale . The

first destination was at Horticulture College, Mulde,(CHM) in Kudal taluka of Sindhudurg. There we saw nursery of ornamental plants where we guided by

CHM’s Assistant Professor of Horticulture Dr. Mandar Mahadik. He informed us with various ornamental plants with their scientific names. The ornamental

plants were classified into different groups such as Nitrogen oxide absorbing plants, mosquito repellent plants, etc. Also we saw poly houses where research

was being conducted on different growing media for black pepper vines, different statistical trials conducted by 4th year students of CHM in their experiential

learning (8th Semester), vegetables grown by students, also one garden with rockery prepared by them. The introduction of both i.e. students of DBCA and

T.Y.BSc (Horti) students CHM in presence of college's Associate Dean Dr. Pramod Sawant., and our Dr. Rakesh Kawale and others. Then we were taken to

fishery unit where fresh water ornamental fishes were reared which was operated by Dr. Ghughuskar, He gave us knowledge about fishes reared by them

and also told us how to identify them. Then we went to oil palm plantation where we were explained about oil extraction from palm fruits and all cultivation

practices including pollination.

Pepper plants on compost stack PHT of fruits and vegetables & Cashew processing at RFRS-Vengurla Ornamental nursery at Mulde college

3rd year B.Sc (Agri) students during a study trip at the College of Horticulture, Mulde with Dr. Rakesh Kawale, and others.

Students learning about Pisciculture at CHM, Kudal Visit Babu Domnic’s plantain farm Students enjoying tender coconut at the farm

In the evening we went to the farm of Andrea's father, Mr. Babu Domnic, where we saw Rain water harvesting pond which has capacity 19,000 litres and was

19 feet deep. At night we had stay at the hostel of Regional Fruit Research Station, Vengurla. The next morning, we visited processing unit where they give

hands-on training to the farmers as well as students, which is free of cost. Then we visited Narmada cashew factory in Vengurla which employs 100 female

workers. Then in afternoon after lunch we again visited Andrea's farm at Banda. There they had grown bananas from which chips were made, also bananas

used for making wafers and tissue cultured bananas, red bananas, etc . We were fortunate to eat tender coconuts from farm and after that we traveled back

to college. This trip was enjoyable and also informative. We got to know many new things and soon we will be practicing them in college.

Winter is coming -Sanjana Kerkar, F.Y.B.Sc.(Agri)

Winter has its own beauty ……Like every season. With its cold breeze it brings so much of warmth to our hearts. The mist which spreads all around has its own beauty. It is definitely something really beautiful to watch…..

The fog of 12th December, 2017 was unlimited experience,

This fog was totally enveloped us and we could hardly see

anything. The fog was thick and all over , but it had its beauty

to admire. It was for the first time in Sulcorna, that I could

actually experience something like this, and it was a

completely new experience….

Everyone was amazed and surprised with the weather: it was

indeed the best.

Christmas cards - Ashu Kumari, S.Y. B.Sc.(Agri)

Christmas cards are illustrated messages of greeting exchanged between friends and family members during the weeks preceding Christmas Day. The traditional greeting reads "wishing you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year”. Now a days cards are sent through E-card due to advancement in technologies.

Christmas cards are purchased in considerable quantities, and feature artwork, commercially designed and relevant to the season. Christmas cards are more secular and can depict Christmas traditions, mythical figures such as Santa Claus, objects directly associated with Christmas such as candles, holly and baubles, or a variety of images associated with the season, such as Christmastide activities, snow scenes and the wildlife of the northern winter. There are even humorous cards and genres depicting nostalgic scenes of the past such as crinoline shoppers in idealized 19th-century streetscapes.

Some prefer cards with a poem, prayer, or Biblical verse; while others distance themselves from religion with an all-inclusive "Season's greetings".

We complete each other Aiswarya Ravi K., F.Y.B.Sc.( Agri)

In its search for a valley of red roses,

The tired body had nothing but its own shadow to lie upon.

Gazing at the melancholy stars,

The body whispered,

When the moonlight disappears you too will leave along with it

Leaving me all alone in the darkness ………….

Shadow sighed…

When darkness engulfs you, it will be I who dissolves in it first.

My oblation (sacrifice for love),

Shadow asked the body,

What happens to me when at the end of time and you enter the grave,

Won’t I be the one abandoned forever???

At this question the body was dumbstruck.

And in a valley far away,

There bloomed red roses with sweet fragrance filling the air.

EDITORS:-

Priyanka Parab (T.Y.), Ryan Mascarenhas (S.Y.), and Saniya Makandar (F.Y.) B.Sc(Agri)