PANAJI
Reeling from the impact of persistent unseasonal rains over the past two weeks, farmers across the State are reporting damage to their ready-to-harvest paddy crops across key agricultural belts including Bicholim, Bardez and Canacona.
Farmers in these regions, who had been preparing for the Kharif harvest, now face soggy fields and the looming threat of crop germination and rot.
Agriculture officials have admitted that the rains, which arrived unexpectedly after the monsoon’s withdrawal, have disrupted harvesting schedules and raised fears of significant yield loss.
In Bicholim, at least 200 farmers are said to have been affected and have expressed concern over the deteriorating condition of their paddy fields. “We were just days away from harvesting. Now, the fields are waterlogged, and the crop is beginning to sprout prematurely,” a local farmer said.
The Agriculture Department, meanwhile, has responded, deploying officers to conduct field inspections and assess the extent of the damage. Director of Agriculture Sandeep Fal Desai stated that while the rains have slowed down harvesting operations, major crop loss is not expected at this stage.
“The rains have mostly occurred in the evenings, allowing some harvesting to continue during the day. However, officers are monitoring the situation closely,” he said.
To mitigate the impact, the department is considering deploying additional mechanical harvesters to take advantage of dry spells and expedite the process in affected areas.
Moreover, officials have assured that farmers who suffer verified crop losses will be compensated under existing schemes.
In Bardez, reports indicate that several fields have already begun showing signs of sprouting and decay due to prolonged exposure to moisture.
Agricultural experts warn that if the rains persist or harvesting is further delayed, the damage could escalate.
The situation has prompted calls from farmer groups for more proactive support from the department and quicker disbursal of relief funds.
