MARGAO
Director of Agriculture Chandrahas Desai said the department is preparing an action plan under Swayampurna Goem to boost marigold cultivation in the State.
He said around three lakh marigold saplings would be distributed to farmers as part of Chief Minister Pramod Sawant’s 90-day ground activities.
“Marigold and drumstick saplings, among others, will be distributed to farmers as part of the Chief Minister’s 90-day ground activities,” he said.
On illegal nurseries, the Agriculture Director said instructions had been issued to Zonal Agriculture Officers to crack down on such nurseries. “We do not have data on the number of illegal nurseries. The department has data on legal nurseries, and this will be used to identify and crack down on illegal nurseries,” he added.
On crop losses, Desai said the department was assessing the impact of deficient rainfall on paddy cultivation. “In Salcete, we have found saline water inundating around two hectares of paddy fields due to the lack of rains, damaging the transplantation. In other areas too, we are assessing the situation. Reports from Sanguem indicate that crops have been damaged at Cazur,” he said.
