MARGAO
Farmers hit by the recent heavy showers are facing double trouble ” those who had already harvested their crop now risk losing their yield to germination, while those still awaiting harvest watch anxiously as their paddy fields remain submerged under water.
The incessant rains have also dealt a severe blow to service providers, with agricultural machinery, including harvesters, and manpower lying idle as water continues to inundate fields.
Adding to the woes, questions are being raised about whether the government will compensate both categories of affected farmers, given that existing compensation policies do not cover losses incurred post-harvesting.
Across Salcete, farmers are staring at the grim prospect of their paddy being destroyed by the heavy downpour over the past few days. Curtorim MLA Reginaldo Lourenco, who inspected the damaged paddy crop in his constituency, confirmed that the harvested yield of many farmers had been destroyed by germination.
“Once the seed germinates, the paddy automatically loses its value. Even cattle will not consume germinated grain,” Lourenco said.
Following his field inspection with Zonal Agriculture Officer (ZAO) Rajesh Costa, Lourenco discussed the matter with Agriculture Director Sandeep Phol Desai, urging the government to compensate affected farmers liberally.
“Unless the government intervenes and compensates the farmers, many may abandon agriculture and leave their fields fallow. We must take care of all farmers, irrespective of whether they possess Krishi cards or not,” he appealed, while requesting Chief Minister Pramod Sawant to review the current compensation norms.
Farmers from Curtorim, Macazana, Raia, and nearby villages have reported large-scale losses due to the unrelenting rains. They are demanding compensation not only for paddy submerged under water but also for the harvested grain rendered useless by germination.
ZAO Rajesh Costa said teams of agriculture officers have been deployed across the villages to inspect and assess the extent of the losses. “We do not face any manpower issues. Once the farmers submit their claims, the department will expedite the compensation process,” Costa assured.
