Bicholim, Goa to Rejuvenate Fallow Agricultural Lands

The municipal council of Bicholim, a town in North Goa, disclosed plans to revive fallow agricultural plots that have remained unused for several seasons. The initiative, part of the council’s broader effort to strengthen the district’s agrarian economy, will involve surveying idle lands, providing incentives to landowners, and facilitating access to seeds, fertilizers and technical assistance. Officials said the move is expected to increase crop output, improve food security and generate seasonal jobs for local laborers, especially in a period when many farmers face declining incomes. The council will coordinate with the Goa state agriculture department to implement the scheme, with the first phase slated to begin later this year, subject to funding and land‑owner participation.