In remote Paliem, two brothers carry out one of the largest single-plot ladyfinger cultivation

A field of lady’s fingers for Paliem duo who left industry jobsKeshav NaikMapusa: In a state where youth increasingly trade ancestral lands for white-collar desks, two brothers from the remote village of Paliem are scripting an agricultural success story.

Ravlu Parab, an automobile engineer, and his elder brother Bhiva, a hospitality professional, both quit their respective industry jobs to return to their roots. Today, they are the masterminds behind what is being touted as Goa’s largest single-plot ladyfinger (bhendi) cultivation—a massive project spanning over one hectare of land. Usually, ladyfinger is cultivated in Goa only in small patches.Armed with 8,000 saplings that have just begun fruiting, the duo is successfully harvesting a staggering one quintal (100 kg) of ladyfinger every single day. "Crops like coconut, arecanut, cashew, or mango don’t require daily attention," says Ravlu Parab. "But the cash crops we grow demand round-the-clock dedication. We toil day and night, from ploughing to harvesting. There is simply no alternative to hard work if you want to scale up."To maximize efficiency and conserve resources, the brothers have deployed a precision drip irrigation system. They practice strict crop rotation based on seasons, alternating their blockbuster bhendi crop with high-yield watermelons and chillies and Marigold (flowers).

Not content with resting on their laurels, they are currently experimenting with drumsticks—a crop seeing massive market demand.The secret to their high yield lies in a self-sustaining ecosystem. The Parabs run a parallel dairy business featuring high-yielding Jersey cows and indigenous buffaloes. While the milk sales cover daily operational expenses, the livestock generates the tons of manure required for the fields. The brothers strictly rely on their own organic formulations,including premium vermicompost.Their enterprise has also turned into a local economic engine, providing critical employment to needy village women. The entire venture is a tight-knit family affair, supported actively by their parents and uncle.The brothers credit much of their technical finesse to the Zonal Agriculture Office in Pernem and the Agricultural Technology Management Agency (ATMA)."ATMA officer Suraj Nhanji (Block Technology Manager) provided invaluable support, bridging the gap between lab science and our fields with specialized training and pest control guidelines, which is absolute critical for these three crops," Ravlu acknowledged. With the backing of the Pernem Zonal Agriculture Office, the duo is now eyeing the prestigious title of ‘Progressive Farmer of Goa.’However, it isn't all smooth sailing. The harsh realities of climate change are knocking on their farm gates. A month-long delay in this season monsoon, combined with soaring summer temperatures, has triggered a severe water scarcity threat."The heat is immense, and the ground water levels are plummeting rapidly," a worried Bhiva Parab shared.

"These high-intensity crops require significant hydration. If this dry spell continues any longer, our dream project is in serious danger."For now, Pernem’s engineer-hotelier farmer duo stands as a shining beacon for Goan youth, proving that with modern techniques, institutional support, and sheer grit, the soil of Goa is a goldmine waiting to be farmed.Infographics: Growing Their Future-The record first-of-its-kind single-plot ladyfinger cultivation- Crop area spans 1 hectare-The scale - 8,000 saplings-Yield 1 quintal of produce per dayMultiple Land Use:-Crop rotation is done with priority to watermelon, chilli and Marigold flowers-Dairy unit for self-reliant organic manure.-Direct employment generation for rural women .