Minister for Agriculture Ravi Naik,
PANAJI
Minister for Agriculture Ravi Naik has encouraged farmers to take advantage of the government’s subsidy scheme for purchasing automated acoustic system to deter wild animals.
Replying to a Zero Hour mention by MLA Deviya Rane on crop damage by wild animals, the minister stated that the scheme covers 75 per cent of the device’s cost while the remaining 25 per cent is to be paid by the farmers.
Deviya highlighted the issue in Sattari taluka where, as per records of the Department of Agriculture, a total cover of 14, 595.22 hectares is utilized for farming and more than 5,000 farmers are Krishi card holders.
“Monkeys and giant squirrels are a menace, as they feed on coconuts throughout the year and destroy crops by sipping juice from tender arecanuts. Wild boars and porcupines are damaging the soil (rhizospheres) of young coconut and areca nut saplings. Farmers also suffer the loss of fruiting trees viz. cashewnut, mango etc. caused by the hardy horns of bison and deers,” she said.
The legislator further brought to the notice of the Assembly that a few farmers alleged the Electronic Ultrasonic Repeller for monkeys is not very effective, seeking an inquiry. The minister thereafter replied about the device that will drive away wild animals with its ear-splitting sound.
