EM, and a Saligao link

While visiting the 'Gagged by the Bag' exhibition currently underway at the Panjim municipal garden (see a report on www.goanet.org) I happened to run into the stall of the Green Goa Works. GGW is a not-for-profit company chaired by fashion designer Wendell Rodricks.

They're currently promoting EM, or effective microorganisms.

EM comes in the form of a 'stock' solution, a brownish liquid suspension containing the select organisms in a highly concentrated condition. The micro-organisms are of various beneficial kinds, including naturally occurring organisms found in yeast (used in bread) and lactic acid (used in curd). The stock solution has to be activated ('extended') first, before it can be used, and is then further diluted for a wide range of hygienic and environmental use.

This diluted solution can be used in toilets, bathrooms (including drains clogged with hair, soiled buckets), to fight set odour, dirty carpets, foul orour from used footwear, clothes and cupboards (to prevent future moulding). This liquid with a well-fermented smell and vinegar-like taste is claimed to promote better growth in plants. Even cars can be cleant with EM!

While the Green Goa Works is based in Socolwaddo, Assagao (phone 312 2609), the person I met was Alfonso Travasso, who is from Saligao (Grand Morode) himself. After working in Muscat, he has worked on this alternative and gave an interesting explanation of how environmental means were being used to tackle the growing garbage problem in the Mapusa fish-market and elsewhere.

For those interested, you can contact Alfonso on 2489 344 or mobile 9326151534. Here's wishing him the best in this useful endeavour! FN

PS: Please see http://www.greengoaworks.com