Team Herald

AGASSAIM: Agassaim organised a village level action plan to make a self-sufficient State through ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat Swayampurna Goa’.

The officials of Agriculture and Animal Husbandry Departments put forth various government schemes which the local farmers could avail. They explained in detail the schemes available and the formalities required to avail them.

Some of the village farmers placed their practical difficulties before the officials with regards to the schemes and said they did not benefit from them due to their small acres of agricultural land. They said schemes prevailed only in print and sought remedy at the earliest.

Agassaim Panchayat Sarpanch Emmy Fernandes said, “With the help of the panchayat a self-help group would be set up soon in the village which would assist the farmers in availing various schemes made available and would also help in sorting out various problems.”

Under the ‘Gram Shakti’ Scheme, Dr Priya of the Animal Husbandry Department, Tonca, said, “There are various subsidies made available for purchase of cows and anyone could avail 10 domestic fowls worth Rs 1,000. And the same scheme could be availed again after a year.”

She also revealed that a dispensary would be set up in Goa Velha shortly.

Former sarpanch of Agasaim Xavier Gracias pointed to the loopholes in various schemes and insisted that they be modified so that the small famers could also enjoy the benefits.

Gracias disclosed that the seeds are not made available to the farmers on time and alleged that schemes get modified overnight, without anyone’s knowledge.

He said the setting up of a centre in the village would be of great help in solving various problems of the farmers.