MAPUSA
Calangute MLA Michael Lobo on Wednesday said that the government should provide at least one tractor to every panchayat and ensure 50 percent subsidy on fertilisers to revive agriculture in the State.
Lobo also said that with advanced technology agriculture has become profitable business and urged the youth to get involved in agriculture to make a living.
“The government should give one tractor to every panchayat so that agriculture can be revived. The government should also provide 50 percent subsidy on fertilisers so that farmers get enthused to take up farming activity instead of keeping their fields fallow,” Lobo said.
The Calangute MLA was addressing a group of farmers at an event to distribute free fertiliser to the farmers of Parra.
Parra Sarpanch Chandanand Harmalkar, Deputy Sarpanch Daniel Lobo and other panchayat members were also present.
Speaking further, Lobo said the cost of fertilisers has gone up and the farmers were finding it uneconomical and difficult to cultivate fields.
He said the government should not only provide subsidies for the manure but also ensure that the subsidy is released regularly and on time.
According to the Calangute MLA, the youth were not getting attracted towards agriculture for two reasons: They find agriculture business not profitable and secondly, the youth finds there is no glamour in agriculture and feel ashamed to get down in the fields.
“The youth must remember that advancement in technology has made farming much easier and also profitable. Youngsters should change their attitude towards agriculture and take up farming as a career,” he said.
He said many tourists come to Goa not only for its beaches but also because of its lush green fields in the countryside.
Parra Sarpanch Chandanand Harmalkar and a farmer also spoke on the occasion.
