WEDNESDAY, MAY 15, 2024
MARCOS GONSALVES
MARGAO: They are the sons of the soil in the truest sense. Their soil is being taken over due to land acquisition, and destroyed due to the ingress of water from broken bunds and debris. Moreover, land under cultivation is shrinking.
Thousands of farmers find themselves gazing into an uncertain future, their aspirations intertwined with the very soil they diligently cultivate to nourish the communities.
With each new season, farmers in Goa embark on their journey with a glimmer of hope, anticipating that the fruits of their labour—their crops—will secure them a minimum support price (MSP) from the government. This assurance is vital to ensure that their cultivation costs are at least met, providing a semblance of stability in their challenging profession.
As the Lok Sabha elections draw near, farmers are emphasising the importance of receiving timely support prices for their produce. They are urging the Agriculture Department to streamline the process to avoid the lengthy delays experienced in the past, which have often led to disappointment among them.
Among the numerous schemes providing subsidies and support to farmers, the MSP stands out as one of the key pillars. With over 50 schemes in place, this support system is vital in ensuring stability and sustenance for agricultural communities.
It’s indeed striking how compensation for agricultural land acquisition often falls short of fair value, resembling mere peanuts compared to the true worth of the land. This discrepancy not only disrupts farmers’ livelihood but also underscores the lack of viable alternatives, compelling them to continue with farming despite the challenges posed by such acquisitions.
J Santano Rodrigues from Curtorim emphasises the need for the government to prioritise support for genuine farmers, rather than solely directing attention towards those with extensive agricultural land.
It’s crucial to acknowledge that many of the true farmers in Goa continue to cultivate tenanted agricultural land, mostly owned by Comunidades. He stated that despite various schemes in place, the original farmers are frequently left without the benefits they deserve.
According to Rodrigues, regardless of the specific policy, the overarching goal should be to prioritise farmer-friendly measures and avoid imposing unnecessary hardship.
The discontent among farmers stems from their perception that the current government subsidies fail to adequately address their growing needs. Furthermore, delays in releasing these funds only exacerbate the situation, compounding the challenges farmers face, said Rosario Fernandes, a farmer.
He raised questions about the plight of farmers whose agricultural land has been acquired by the government for public projects.
The compensation provided to farmers for their agricultural land cannot truly reflect its value or the dedication of the farmers who cultivate it. Shockingly, Fernandes added that there seems to be a glaring absence of policies aimed at providing benefits to agricultural land losers, allowing them to sustain their farming activities.
