VALPOI
The inauguration of the Agriculture Department office at Vaiper-Valpoi, built at a cost of several crores of rupees, has been delayed for six months, triggering resentment among farmers in Sattari taluka.
Farmers have demanded that the completed and well-equipped building be opened without further delay to improve access to services, including subsidy schemes, crop insurance, agricultural guidance, seeds and fertilisers, farm equipment assistance and training programmes.
According to local farmers, the inauguration was reportedly scheduled on three occasions but was postponed at the last minute each time without any official explanation.
The department has been functioning for the past three years from an old and inadequate building after being shifted there during construction of the new office. Farmers and staff have reportedly faced roof leakage during the monsoon, cracked walls, limited space, inadequate storage and overcrowding during public service hours.
The new building has modern infrastructure, including a spacious conference hall, training rooms, a farmer guidance centre, facilities for technical meetings and computerised services. However, it remains unused despite being completed. Residents allege that stray animals are frequenting the premises while a valuable public asset remains idle.
Farmer Vishwesh Prabhu urged the government to open the building immediately.
“Sattari has extensive cultivation of paddy, vegetables, fruit crops, spices, cashew, coconut, turmeric and ginger. Farmers require regular training in modern agricultural technology, nutrient management, plant protection, disease control, water conservation, organic farming, value addition and agricultural marketing,” said Prabhu.
He said the new training facilities and conference hall could support farmer training programmes, technical demonstrations, agricultural fairs, women farmers’ group activities, youth agri-entrepreneurship initiatives and awareness campaigns on government schemes.
Farmers said opening the office would provide better facilities for both the department and the farming community and ensure that the expenditure is effectively put to use.
