MARCOS GONSALVES
marcos@herald-goa.com
MARGAO: Mechanised harvesting may have lessened the burden of farmers in a big way but at the same time it has caused a major setback to many dairy farmers across the State, as they are facing difficulties in getting good quality leftover grass/paddy straw after paddy harvesting.
Wilson Fernandes, a dairy farmer from Gorroti, Nuvem complained that the paddy straws get damaged if left in the fields for a day or two after mechanised harvesting. And hence, they find it very difficult to search for standard paddy straws.
It is pertinent to note that mechanised farming has been cost effective to farmers especially with regard to labour, which several farmers had sidelined while cultivating their paddy fields. However, mechanised harvesting has caused major problems to the traditional dairy farmers.
Wilson, who was earlier employed in the Gulf, is now carrying forward his father’s occupation of dairy farming. Wilson complained that he is facing a tough time in searching standard paddy straw/grass.
"In recent years we have noticed that farmers are engaging harvesting machines. Yes, they have proved to be cost effective to farmers. However, we also noticed that the leftover paddy straw or grass, which was early used for several purposes, is now of no use", he claimed.
He said the paddy straw gets damaged if not collected within a few days to use the same as fodder for cattle, as done earlier.
"I have also noticed that many farmers are seen burning the paddy straw after harvesting, and hence we find it difficult to get the straw. Still, there are few farmers in Cuncolim and other areas who still manually harvest their paddy fields and we manage to get these standard straws from these farmers to feed our cattle", said Wilson.
He along with his brother Remmy are among the only two households that are engaged in dairy farming in their area whereas all others have left the occupation citing several reasons.
"I was working in the Gulf. However, I have been at home for the last four years and engaged in dairy farming which was my father’s occupation", said Wilson.
He claimed that the cattle fodder which they get on subsidy is of no use and the cost is unbearable as compared to the inflation and the rate provided on the milk produced.
He said farmers have left their agricultural land barren citing flooding of fields due to land filling as one of the reasons.
"The land filling to make way for the Western Bypass has resulted in flooding of our agricultural land and we have suffered huge losses in the past few years. Hence, decided to stop cultivating the fields", he said.
Besides Wilson there are several other dairy farmers, who are facing a tough time feeding their cattle with standard paddy straw/grass on account of mechanised harvesting.