PANAJI
The dry spell post late surge monsoon-end rains has sent Goa's paddy cultivators in a frenzy of activity in preparation to launch harvest operations.Farmers, particularly those who have sown in khazan and other low-lying areas are hoping to launch their harvest operations in the next few days.
Harvesting is mostly done in mechanical mode to beat labour costs and availability.
The Agriculture Department subsidizes the hiring costs of mechanical harvesters and has empanelled vendors both from Goa and some border regions of Maharashtra to provide services to Goan farmers.
The standing paddy crop has fared relatively well this year as against massive damage due to flooding during the last kharif season.
