MARGAO
A special Gram Sabha of the Dramapur-Sirlim village panchayat was held on Sunday to discuss the draft Goa Agriculture Policy and its implications for the farmers and the environment.
The panchayat, headed by Sarpanch Avita Pereira, had invited Goyche Fudle Pilge Khatir (GFPK), a civil society organization working for the protection of Goa’s land and water resources, to explain the policy and its suggestions.
The meeting was requested by the Gram Sabha member Dominic Noronha, who is also a farmer.
GFPK president Jack Mascarenhas explained how Saudi Arabia, being a desert country, used technology in farming and became an exporter of wheat. He also gave a few examples of how Goans are undermined and how big builders are putting up multistory buildings and leaving sewage into paddy fields.
Amancio Fernandes, a retired deputy director of agriculture, spoke about a few issues and solutions based on his wealth of experience.
Carmelito Andrade, a certified drone pilot, gave an overview of how technology can be used in farming, such as GIS mapping, early disease detection, spraying organic fertilizer, and pesticide. But he also mentioned that it is important to include traditional knowledge and have a balanced mix with technology.
He spoke about a few ideas on how to encourage youth to get into farming and how it can be profitable and more satisfying than other jobs.
The farmers also expressed their concern about the new policy with respect to building a farmhouse and repeatedly mentioned that a very small area (3%) should be allotted for this purpose, with only permission for two rooms.
They were worried that this could be misused to build big bungalows/hotels, etc.
