PANAJI
The State government’s response to significant crop losses faced by farmers in Sattari lacked concrete assurance as the matter was raised during the assembly session on Wednesday. Agriculture Minister Ravi Naik claimed to be “protecting” the farmers but also emphasized the need to safeguard animals, as per the law, which prohibits harm to these living beings too.
“Goans have increased their farming activity and it has extended into the natural habitat of animals… We do have money for fencing, we are protecting them (farmers) but even they (animals) want to eat. We can’t kill them because as per the Central government and the State government, harming the animals is not allowed,” he said while replying to Poriem MLA Deviya Rane who tabled the Calling Attention Motion raising concern about the losses suffered by farmers due to crop damage caused by wild animals.
While the government has allocated funds for regular fencing, there was uncertainty about implementing solar fencing.
“More than 5000 farmers, registered as Krishi Card holders, are affected by animals such as monkeys, giant squirrels, bison, and porcupines, which feed on coconuts, arecanuts, cashew nuts, and mangoes. They damage young saplings as well. Though the government offers one-time compensation of Rs 6,000 per year to the affected farmers, it is insufficient as the damages occur more frequently, and the amount itself is deemed inadequate,” she said.
The ruling legislator further urged the government to consider increasing the compensation and allowing multiple claims in a year to adequately compensate the farmers. Rane also requested the government to grant subsidies for implementing solar fencing to deter wild animals.
Legislator Aleixo Reginald Lourenco also highlighted similar crop damage issues from different parts of South Goa, calling for comprehensive measures to address the problem through Start-ups, a suggestion also put forth by the Poriem legislator.
