Paddy fields


 A farmer's life in the paddy fields of Goa is a mix of hard work, tradition, community, and nature’s rhythm. 

Most farmers start early, often before sunrise. The mornings are cool, the mist lingers over the green fields, and there's a peaceful silence broken only by the sound of birds or frogs.

  • Planting Season (Kharif – June to August): Farmers wade through knee-deep water to transplant rice seedlings by hand. This is back-breaking work and often done in teams, creating a sense of shared labor.
  • Growing Season (Monsoon): The fields are lush and vibrant. Farmers tend to the crops, manage water flow, and keep an eye out for pests. It’s a waiting game—nature takes over here.
  • Harvest Season (October to December): Time to cut the golden stalks. Sickles in hand, families come together to harvest. There’s often a sense of joy, relief, and celebration.

Some farmers, especially in smaller villages, still use buffaloes and plows.
Others have mechanized tools, though many farmers struggle with access to modern equipment or government support.

Paddy fields are also home to fish and frogs, which are part of the ecosystem and sometimes the local diet (like xet-codi—fish curry made with field-caught fish).

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