the goan I network
MARGAO
After unseasonal rains caused havoc for standing paddy across Salcete taluka last month, beleaguered farmers have now made a beeline to the Agricultural Zonal Office for compensation.
The Margao ZAO has till date has received around 500 applications for compensation, with agricultural officers anticipating many more farmers to knock the doors of the department for relief given the extent of damage caused to the standing paddy.
Margao zonal agricultural officials told The Goan that standing paddy has been the worst affected in the villages of Curtorim, Loutolim, Seraulim, Davorlim and other areas of Salcete.
With the government agreeing in principle to pay a compensation of Rs 40,000 per hectare against the prevailing amount of Rs 25,000, the department is expecting many more farmers to apply for the compensation scheme.
“The Margao ZAO office had received around 300 claims for compensation during the previous rains. And, the number of applications for compensation has only gone up after last month’s rains that hit the paddy crop badly,” an officer said.
