PANAJI
As the unseasonal rainfall dashed the hopes of hundreds of paddy growers across Goa, the agriculture department has now stepped in to provide financial relief to the farmers, who are reporting severe losses days before harvest. The department on Monday initiated a process to assess the loss across all 12 talukas to prepare a report for compensation.
Goa has been witnessing heavy downpour since last Friday, with agriculture fields being inundated in areas like Canacona, Sattari, Salcete, Pernem, Quepem, etc. The heavy rains have affected harvesting operations of kharif paddy cultivation.
Speaking to The Goan, Director Agriculture Sandeep Phol Desai confirmed that there are complaints that several areas are affected due to heavy rains. He said that the department has commenced evaluation and will prepare a report for compensation. "The rain has upset the harvest schedule. Farmers are under tremendous stress as their entire earnings depend on this crop. We are assessing the ground situation,” he said.
The director said that the moisture during harvest causes discolouration and reduces grain quality. “We have no idea how long it will take to complete the assessment across all 12 talukas,” he said.
Desai said that the farmers would be compensated under Shetkari Aadhar Nidhi that provides financial compensation to farmers for losses to crops, infrastructure, and produce due to natural calamities. As per the scheme, the farmers can receive up to Rs. 1.6 lakh in compensation for damage from events like unseasonal rains, floods, pests, and diseases. The compensation is capped at Rs. 40,000 per hectare for a maximum of four hectares, or based on actual loss, whichever is less.
India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued yellow alert for Goa till October 29 causing more worries for the farmers.
Agricultural experts warn that the continuous wet spell could lead to fungal infections in the grain and make mechanical harvesting impossible in waterlogged fields.
