VASCO
Vasco Councillor Shami Salkar on Friday petitioned the chief officer of Mormugao Municipal Council on the need to set up a Zonal Agricultural Office (ZAO) for Mormugao taluka in Vasco so that farmers in the port town and across the taluka get better access to their requirements and services.
Speaking to reporters, Salkar said it was unfortunate that farmers from Mormugao taluka have lost an opportunity on many agricultural schemes, incentives and training programs organised by the directorate of agriculture.
“The setting of this ZAO would have benefited our farming community as it is not possible for farmers to rush to Margao every time. Right now, Vasco has only one lone field in Belabai-Mestawado, where farmers have faced a lot of problems,” said Shami.
“In the last 10 years, my husband and former councillor, Daji Salkar, extended all help to them for harvesting machines, tractors to plough their field and other requirements to keep farming activity alive in the area.”
The councillor said the fruits of this farming activity were seen during the last lockdown when vegetable supply from neighbouring states stopped and locals availed of fresh farm-grown vegetables from these farmers.
“Youth needs to be attracted with good incentives from this ZAO office that can be set up in Vasco, which would give a boost to agricultural activities in the taluka," said Salkar.
