MARGAO
Nuvem MLA Wilfred D’Sa on Saturday has promised to take agriculture to a higher level in the constituency, saying the government will soon invest crores of rupees on infrastructure projects and logistics to make water available for irrigation.
Saying that Betalbatim village has already reached the level of having three crops in a single year, the Nuvem MLA said efforts are to provide additional facilities to the farmers of the constituency to take agriculture forward in a big way.
Addressing the media at the day-long Krishi Mela organised in the village for Salcete taluka, which brought the farmers and the agro-based industry under one platform, D’Sa said around 45 shallow wells will be dug at the Dalupe farming area to help the local farmers, who have been growing local varieties of vegetables. “These farmers used to experience water scarcity in the month of March and April. To tide over the situation, around 45 shallow wells will be dug in the fields to make available water for irrigation,” he said, adding that the tenders for these wells will be floated shortly.
That’s not all. The Nuvem MLA said the government has decided to spend a major chunk of the Rs 78 crore funds received by the Water Resources Department under a centrally sponsored scheme in Nuvem.
“We have planned to build five new bhandaras to increase the water level, which will help boost irrigation,” he said, adding that the government had drawn up a plan to provide solar-powered pumps to the farmers, besides drip irrigation and sprinklers.
“I want to make Nuvem constituency number one in agricultural production. Already Betalbatim village has gone in for a third crop this season,” he said, adding that the increase in agricultural production will make the state self-sufficient in agricultural products.
Margao Zonal Agricultural Officer, Sheriff Furtado, said around 20 agro-based companies are participating in the Krishi mela, displaying their new machines and products. “We also had a technical session for the farmers. Officials of the agricultural department and allied departments are attending the mela,” he said.
Furtado pointed out that farmers, who have completed training in organic farming in 40 clusters, will be issued certificates. “We have extended support to the farmers to make their cultivation organic. It takes time to change the mentality of the farmers, but we are confident of making farming organic in the next two years”, Furtado added.
