MARGAO
Beleaguered farmers from Maina in Curtorim villages are anxiously waiting for the agriculture officers to inspect their paddy fields left devastated by the rains this season.
Some of the farmers have pegged their losses to nearly 90 percent, saying the government should step in not just to compensate the for the huge losses, but to keep alive the tradition of agriculture in the village.
The farmers gave vent to their sentiments at a meeting called by outgoing Zilla Panchayat member, Moreno Rebello, with agricultural officers at Curtorim on Wednesday.
The farmers led by Alfred Barretto drew the attention of the Assistant Agricultural Officer, Mahesh Kankonkar, to the fields devastated round by excess rainfall.
He urged the agriculture department to inspect the fields before they are harvested. “There’s nothing to harvest this time around, with the standing crop lying flat on the ground. The agriculture department will do great service to the farmers if its officials come for inspection before the harvesters enter the fields,” Alfred said.
The agricultural officer promised to send a team to the Maina fields for urgent inspection if the farmers make an application claiming damage and losses.
Alfred later told the media that the farmers have never witnessed such huge damage and loss on account of the rains. “This is unprecedented. Last year, too, the farmers have suffered losses, but the damage is severe this time. Majority of us are badly affected,” he said, while urging the government to extend assistance.
Another farmer Domingo Noronha said the government should come to the rescue of the farmers as paddy has been destroyed. He made a fervent plea to the government to depute its officials so that they can see for themselves the extent of damage caused to the standing paddy.
“We can preserve this rich tradition of agriculture only if the government extends its help and assistance to the beleaguered farmers. Last time, our committee had tried to compensate the farmers, who had suffered losses. The government should intervene and come to their rescue,” he added.
Moreno Rebello said he has decided to open a farmers’ club in Maina to act as a platform for the growers to air their grievances. “I am a farmer having a Krishi card. I know the sentiments and the difficulties of the farming community,” Moreno said while urging the government to compensate the cultivators.
