The draft agriculture policy that came up for discussion in village panchayats across the State saw the local bodies picking holes in the proposals and raising apprehensions of it being anti-farmer. Panchayats in Nuvem, Betalbatim, Cavelossim, Assolna, Chinchinim, Candolim and a few others stood firmly against the policy.
There was so much anxiety and uncertainty visible at the ground level that locals poured their hearts out and raised diverse fears at the few gram sabhas that took up the issue in its fullness. The common thread that connects all the meetings is that the policy is largely seen as anti-farmer, destructive and an attempt to bring in a corporate culture in agriculture.
Incidentally, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant's online talk on Swayamurna Goa hogged prime time on Monday, and the much-publicised Swachhata drives saw the Gram Sabha relegated to the sidelines with few panchayats showing interest. At the same time, several panchayats skipped discussions on the agriculture policy; others, like Sao Jose de Areal VP, witnessed an uproar for not getting farmers on board for discussions and creating broader awareness about the policy.
These village-level discussions and suggestions were crucial to the locals since the policy will directly impact lives and livelihoods. Given this background, there should have been clear guidelines for panchayats to encourage greater participation. The purpose of holding this crucial public discourse on a day that had so many public events running parallel and State leaders in Swachhata mode is somewhat defeated. Also intriguing is that many panchayats did not consider discussing the policy's provisions important and took up other matters instead.
The purpose of this exercise, as demanded by Goyche Fudle Pilgi Khatir (GFPK), was to enable a wide range of participation and awareness on an issue that affects every household in Goa, whether it's a farmer's house or not. The GFPK's motive was to build the people's trust in policymaking. Going by the turn of events on October 2, none of these objectives seemed to have been met, and it appeared that panchayats were going through the motions only to fulfil a directive.
Irrespective that the priority was not accorded to the gram sabhas, the points of contention are visible in the agricultural policy, and the government can get a fair idea of the problem areas. The question is whether it has the will to rectify these deficiencies.
History tells us that the outcomes of gram sabhas have rarely forced the government into a rethink unless there are extraordinary factors. Some years back, there was an overwhelming response to gram sabhas against mega projects in villages. Nothing materialised from these sessions, and all the anger and fury witnessed in their public discourses went in vain. Similar is the case with gram sabhas against coal handling and double-tracking.
It is for the government to show intent in hearing people's voices and engineering a change in the policy. The government must allay fears of corporate culture eating into farmlands. It must clarify how this policy will be a boon for locals, not a bane. It's over to the agriculture minister.
