the goan I network
MARGAO
As insects devastated hectares and hectares of fields across the villages of Verna and Utorda-Majorda, destroying crops watermelons, pulses, onions and vegetables this season, beleaguered farmers have turned to the government for help and assistance to bail them out of the unprecedented situation.
With anxiety writ large on their faces, the beleaguered farmers welcomed Deputy Chief Minister Chandrakant Kavlekar, who also undertakes agriculture in the fields of Dulape in Verna with local MLA Wilfred D’Sa, explaining to the minister, how their crops have been devastated by the insects, leaving them in the lurch. Hectares and hectares of land which was brought under watermelon cultivation, besides pulses, onions, etc have been badly affected by the insects, with a senior agriculture officer saying the total area affected by the damage could be around 180-200 hectares.
The agriculture officer put the number of affected farmers in the region of 400-450, growing crops such as watermelons, onions, pulses and vegetables such as bottle gourds, etc.
While sympathising with the beleaguered farmers, the deputy chief minister said the government would extend the compensation scheme that was announced for the farmers hit during the monsoons.
While the government had announced compensation of Rs 25,000 per hectare of crop damaged during the monsoon, the Agriculture department will work out a package for the beleaguered farmers of Verna-Utorda-Majorda area hit by the insects.
Margao Zonal Agricultural Officer Noronha was asked by the deputy chief minister to immediately prepare a report of the situation at Verna and Utorda and forward the report to the Agriculture Director on Friday itself.
An ICAR teacher will visit the fields on Monday to conduct a study on the factors that caused the destruction of the paddy by the insects. “We are trying to find out how the fields were plagued by the group of insects, whether they have become resistant because of the use of fertilizers,” a senior agriculture official said.
Nuvem MLA Wilfred D’Sa, who has taken up cudgels for the beleaguered farmers from Verna-Utorda-Majorda belt, all coming under his Nuvem constituency, said he got the deputy chief minister to the fields to get a first hand experience of the extent of devastation caused to the farmers. “The deputy chief minister has promised that the government would extend the compensation scheme for the beleaguered farmers. I am confident that the government would not leave the farmers in the lurch,” the Nuvem MLA said.
