Franky Gracias
The Kushavati Organic Farm in Usgalimal in Sanguem, South Goa, works in harmony with nature.
Its major product is supari (betel nut). It boasts of being one of the best plantations of the betel nut crop.
Besides betel nut, the farm also produces coconut, black pepper, white pepper, nutmeg, banana, turmeric, coffee and cardamom.
It uses some of the best pouches for packaging its spices. These pouches offer protection against moisture and outside odours.
The farm follows the slurry irrigation method for some of its crops and it also produces gobar gas.
The vast expanse of the farm, which is located on the banks of the Kushavati river, offers visitors peace and quiet.
A few metres from the boundary of the farm and separated by a small stream of the river, one can see petroglyphs (rock art) belonging to the Neolithic period.
The Usgalimal rock engravings are one of the most important prehistoric sites in Western India.