PANAJI
Nearly 2,500 farmers in Goa are still waiting for compensation after unseasonal late rains damaged their ready-to-harvest kharif paddy crop.
The money will be given under the Shetkari Nidhi Yojna, a state scheme that provides financial help for crop losses caused by natural disasters.
Data from the Agriculture Department show that 4,044 farmers applied for compensation. Out of these, 2,519 applications are still pending and are being processed.
Farmers who have krishi cards get the money directly in their bank accounts. But 1,041 farmers without the cards are also waiting, as their cases need government approval before payment.
Among the talukas, Bardez has the highest number of pending claims at 909. It is followed by Canacona with 548, Quepem with 325, Ponda with 196 and Bicholim with 189.
The scheme covers losses caused by rain, cyclones, wild animal attacks, crop diseases and saltwater entering fields.
Officials said the money will be transferred once the pending files are cleared.
Farmers have raised concern about the delay. Many are already under financial pressure after losing their crop and are spending on inputs for the rabi season, which is now halfway through.
Agriculture officials said the process is on and approvals from the finance department are expected soon.
Heavy rain and waterlogging had caused large quantities of paddy to rot. This happened days after the IMD had declared the monsoon withdrawn. Farmers were asked to submit applications at their zonal agriculture offices.
Under the scheme, farmers are entitled to Rs 40,000 per hectare, up to a maximum of four hectares. A farmer can get up to Rs 1.6 lakh.
The wait for payments has increased the anxiety among farmers facing climate-related losses. Cultivators say timely help is necessary to protect their livelihoods and continue work for the current rabi crop.
