Pilerne-Marra Sarpanch Sandeep Bandodkar distributes the Jyoti seeds and fertilisers to farmers in the village.
Photo Credits: Anil Shankhwalker
PORVORIM
In a bid to encourage local farmers to pursue farming activities, the Pilerne-Marra panchayat on Wednesday supplied Jyoti seeds and fertilisers free of cost to about 200 farmers in the village.
Pilerne-Marra Sarpanch Sandeep Bandodkar distributed the seeds and fertilisers to the farmers at the panchayat office in the presence of ZP member Rupesh Naik, Dy Sarpanch Sonal Malvankar, panch members Amarnath Govekar, Karan Govenkar, Santosh Bandodkar, Brenda Vaz, Pramila Govekar, Roshna Rane and Pilerne Parish Priest Fr Derrick Fernandes.
In his address, Sarpanch Sandeep Bandodkar said Goan farmers are hard working and many are financially weak and unable to buy fertilisers from the open market.
“They require support from the government and the panchayats. There are many poor farmers in the village who cannot afford to buy seeds and fertilisers. To encourage these farmers to pursue farming activities, the panchayat decided to supply them seeds and fertilisers free of cost,” said Bandodkar.
Panch member Amarnath Govekar said the panchayat procured the seeds and fertilisers from the panchayat fund.
“There are around 250 farmers in the village and at a time when ministers and MLAs distribute fertilisers to farmers, the Pilerne-Marra panchayat is one of the few panchayats in the State which is distributing seeds and fertilisers free of cost to farmers.”
“Though India is predominantly an agrarian economy, very few farmers are involved in farming activities in the State. The State government provides a 70-90% to farmers on the purchase of agricultural equipment. Farmers should avail these schemes said Amarnath Govekar.
ZP member Rupesh Naik, Panch member Karan Govenkar and Fr Derrick Fernandes also spoke on the occasion.
