MARGAO r rSpeaking to mediapersons, president of the Ekvott, Jose Inacio Rodrigues said the farmers here had sowed the seedlings which were to be transplanted by the service providers engaged by the Agriculture Department. r“However, even after the seedlings had sprouted and grown appreciably to be ready for transplantation, the transplanters are nowhere in sight,” he added. rResultantly, Rodrigues said there is a fear of the plantation getting spoilt and causing a decrease of yield. In the absence of transplanting, Rodrigues claimed it is also difficult to negotiate their right of way from one field to another. He informed that the crop has to be transplanted in time. He pegged the area of seedlings sown which have now sprouted and grown, at 10 hectares. rAddressing mediapersons, AAP volunteers assured the party’s full support to the Verna farmers’ cause. “The seeds are now affected and the government must now compensate the farmer adequately,” he added. rWhen contacted, Margao ZAO Anil Noronha said the transplanters to be provided by the service providers would reach the venue on July 7 for transplanting the seeds.
Verna farmers complain of delay in transplanting
Peeved over the delay in arrival of transplanters, farmers under the banner of the Verna Xetkarancho Ekvott met with the Zonal Agricultural Officer of Margao Zonal Agricultural Office and sought the redressal of their grievances.
