Farmers heave a sigh of relief as rains spare paddy
HERALD REPORTER
PANJIM, NOV 9
Contrary to the earlier apprehensions that incessant rains will badly hit paddy cultivation, the Directorate of Agriculture has said that the loss is minimum despite wet spell.
Director of Agriculture Satish Tendulkar told Herald that the loss is to the tune of 10 per cent for the paddy cultivation as the rains continued during the harvest time.
The department, earlier, had predicted 25 per cent loses to the paddy, this season.
Tendulkar said that the mechanized harvesting saved the crop from being washed off. The cultivation in Tiswadi, Salcette, Pernem, Bardez and Bicholim taluka took place before stipulated time to a machine ‘paddy combine.’
However, the farmers from state’s remote talukas of Canacona, Sanguem and Sattari faced the brunt of rains due to late harvesting.
“Harvesting in many regions is complete as farmers have opted for special machines ‘paddy combine.’ The machine facilitates complete harvesting at a faster speed and lower cost,” Tendulkar said.
The machines, procured from Karnataka, could be hired by farmers at the cost of Rs 2,500 per hour. The department pitches in with the subsidy of Rs 1,000 for them to encourage use of this gadget.
“The scheme is supported by Curtorim Service Society and Department of Agriculture,” he said adding that the scheme have been recently introduced in Goa.
Responding to a question, Tendulkar said that the department is yet to make up its mind on the compensation to be paid for the farmers for rain-related loses. He said that the farmers have put up their demand before the government.
