MARGAO
Farmers from Navelim village have urged the government to amend the law to pave way for landless agricultural cultivators to be eligible for the Krishi cards.
The farmers had also come to convey a message to the government to act tough on the illegal conversion of agricultural land, insisting it gets the violators to restore the land to their original condition and not let them go scot-free with fines.
Participating in the interaction with the Agriculture Minister as part of Swayampurna Goem 2.0, Eleterio Carneiro, convenor of the Village Development Committee, and others said many farmers, especially those hailing from the Scheduled Tribe community are being denied the Krisha cards simply because they are not owners of agricultural land.
“These people cultivate the agricultural fields of their bhatkars and in return cannot get the NOC to apply for the Krishi cards. Hence, they cannot get subsidized fertilizers, machinery and seeds. The government can do away with this practice by opening the Krishi cards to the landless agricultural farmers as well”, he said.
Carneiro further said the government should encourage people to grow chillies and vegetables around their houses to make them self sustainable with vegetables.
“People do not get the subsidies and other benefits for growing chillies and vegetables around their houses on the premise and they have converted their orchard land for construction of the house”, he said.
Pointing out that fines have not deterred people from carrying out illegal conversions, Carneiro said the government should crack a whip against people who have obtained permissions for farmhouses but are using the land to sell black metal and construction material.
“The agriculture department should monitor to check the misuse of the land”, he added.
