PANJIM: As the mining industry is going through crisis, agriculture experts have said that the mined land can be reclaimed and used to cultivate cash crops which can give far decent living to those people affected due to halt in mining. Indian Centre for Agriculture Research (ICAR) has already begun a study on the soil from the mining belt and how it can be rejuvenated. IACR Goa Director Dr N P Singh said that horticulture-based cropping system like plantation of cash crops such as cashew, cocum and spices can be taken up by the people. Stating that the farming in Goa is a viable occupation, Singh said the youth will turn towards farming once it is known to them that they can earn a decent living out of it. The experts look at horticulture cultivation in these patches which have been dug in search of minerals by the mining firms. ICAR has already done some work on the mine rejects. “We are going to different companies telling them that we can make project for soil reclamation of rejects,” he said, adding that the soil fertility restoration may take little time but it can happen in 5-6 years. Once into agriculture, a person can earn around Rs 40,000-50,000 per month, if he goes for cash crops, Singh added, giving the examples of successful farmers in Goa. ICAR’s Director General S Ayappan, who was down in Goa to attend a regional meeting, said that the land reclamation would depend on the specific land locations. “First we have to look at the specific situation, you can start with the seasonal crop depending on what kind of irrigation is available there,” he said. “May be you can start with vegetable, floriculture and then go for plantation of other crops,” Ayappan added. Dr H R Prabhudesai, a scientist at ICAR Goa, said that the testing of the soil should be done and particular crops can be recommended. “The crop such as cashew which was introduced in Goa to avoid soil erosion can be introduced in these belts. The scientific farming can help earn money for the farmers,” he commented.