CANACONA
Stating in the coming monsoon season, people in Goa will get as many free cashew saplings as they need, WRD Minister Subhash Shirodkar on Wednesday said the government is aiming to bring 3,000 new farmers in the agriculture sector.
Shirodkar was speaking after laying the foundation stone for the Rs 49 lakh Bhandara at Shiroti-Khola village, in the presence of Quepem MLA Altone D’Costa, ex-DyCM and BJP Vice-President Chandrakant (Babu) Kavlekar, ZP (Khola) Shanu Velip and Khola Sarpanch Ajay Pagui.
Speaking further, Shirodkar said 100 additional Bhandaras would be built to the existing lot of 337 Bhandaras, to provide a further boost to agriculture activities in the State.
“Even though farmers had turned their back towards farming, we have a task to bring all farmers back to cultivate fields within the next 10-20 years,” said the
minister.
“After the Covid pandemic, many people realised the need to return to their traditional values by working hard and there is already a feeling among people to resume ancestral occupations of farming and plantations.”
“But due to non-availability of water for irrigation purposes, people find it difficult to pursue agriculture and that is why I have said we will build more 100 bhandaras. We aim to bring 3,000 new farmers into farming and for that, building 100 more Bhandaras alone will not bring in more farmers. We also need to facilitate availability like tractors, seeds, etc.”
Quepem MLA Altone D’Costa said water harvesting is the backbone of farming and if there is no water, irrigation and farming would not be possible.
“As promised by the WRD, Quepem constituency will get 6 new Bhandaras and 20 wells for which, files have already reached the department. Including beautification of two springs at Khanaguinim and Betul and a retaining wall at Nuvem, estimates for five more projects are awaiting financial approval in Quepem,” said D’Costa.
Ex-DyCM and BJP Vice-President Chandrakant (Babu) Kavlekar said the WRD plays a key role in the success of farming/agriculture.
“Bhandaras are very important if farmers want a harvest twice as year. Besides, Bhandaras not only provide water for irrigation, but also helps to increase the groundwater,” he said.
