MARGAO
Water Resources Department (WRD) Minister Subhash Shirodkar on Monday said around one lakh hectares of agricultural land, including khazhans, remain fallow across the State due to damaged bunds and waterlogging, saying it would require funds to the tune of Rs 500-1000 crore to restore bunds, khazans and waterbodies.
While saying that the taxpayer’s money would go waste if farmers do not cultivate fields after the restoration of the bunds, the Minister underscored the need to prepare at least 100 farmers across the village to cultivate on fallow lands.
Shirodkar was in Chinchinim, where he along with officials, Velim MLA Cruz Silva, panchayat members and comunidade president Agnelo Furtado visited some areas to take stock of the situation. The Minister has promised to return to the Velim constituency on November 23 to inspect the extent of damaged bunds along river Sal.
Stating that the Agriculture department provides subsidies right from the stage of ploughing to harvesting, Shirodkar said agriculture cannot be a loss-making proposition anymore.
“The government even comes out with a support price for paddy. I think a farmer should earn around Rs 15,000 cultivating one acre of paddy,” he said.
Shirodkar said WRD is ready to restore the damaged bunds and waterbodies provided this helps get farmers back to the fields.
“The task is gigantic. We may need funds to the tune of Rs 500-1000 crore to restore the bunds and the waterbodies. But, all this will go waste if farmers do not return to agriculture. At least 100 farmers must bring the fallow land back to cultivation,” he added.
The WRD Minister said that wetlands have been created by the ancestors over the years and the task of the government is to protect and safeguard them. “The wetlands have been in existence for centuries. Only agricultural activity prevailed during those days and the ancestors had created the wetlands for irrigation,” he said, adding that the government has to only safeguard them.
Velim MLA Cruz Silva said the WRD Minister visited three sites in Chinchinim to take stock of the situation, particularly the damage to bunds. Raising the issue of river Sal, the Velim MLA further urged the Minister to take up the ponds, waterbodies, besides nullahs for desilting.
