Many paddy fields in the State are left fallow because of stray cattle. The insurance and government subsidy has not worked. The fencing subsidy, seeds and fertilizers serve no purpose under such circumstances. The cost of inputs and wages have skyrocketed. Most Goans are averse to taking up hard manual labour. The government has done nothing to ensure there are enough cattle pounds to keep marauding stray cows at bay. If the current situation persists, the government’s talk on giving a boost to agriculture will be mere lip service.
