ZAO cites availability of host of govt schemes
Salcete ZAO Sheriff Furtado and famers witness transplantation of paddy in fallow fields in Nuvem village.
Photo Credits: Santosh Mirajkar
MARGAO
Buoyed by last year’s success, farmers of Nuvem have taken another step forward to bring additional 30,000 square metres of paddy fields lying fallow over the last two decades.
The farmers had last year revived the fallow fields by bringing back around 20,000 square metres under paddy cultivation.
Complimenting the farmers of Nuvem for reviving fallow fields and bringing them under cultivation, Salcete Zonal Agriculture Officer Sheriff Furtado said the farmers can avail a host of government schemes, right from clearing thick overgrown vegetation and bushes in the fallow fields to the ploughing and harvesting of the paddy.
“I compliment the Nuvem ST Sanghatana having 33 members for their bold initiative to bring the fallow fields under cultivation. We understand there’s vegetation and bushes that have overgrown in the fallow fields. The farmers can avail of the government scheme to clear the vegetation with the one time assistance. Initially, this scheme was available for individual farmers, but now the government has extended the same for group farmers, who can click photographs of the fields and apply to the Zonal Agriculture office for the assistance”, he added.
Congress leader from Nuvem Everson Vales said the success of last year’s initiative to bring fallow fields under cultivation has spurred other farmers to join the movement to cultivate the fields.
“Last year, we made a small beginning by reviving fields admeasuring around 20,000 square metres. Buoyed by the success, we have brought another 30,000 square metres of fallow fields under cultivation. The farmers are enthusiastically participating in the movement to bring their fallow fields under cultivation. The participation of the farmers is expected to revive agriculture in Nuvem in a big way”, he added.
Farmer Manuel Borges said the initiative of bringing the fallow fields under cultivation has turned out a success. He thanked Everson Vales for motivating the farmers to join the initiative to bring the fallow fields under cultivation.
