Agri schemes should reach grassroots, urge MLAs
HERALD REPORTER
PANJIM, AUG 4
Applauding the Government for high budgetary allocation to agriculture, MLAs cutting across party lines called for sustained efforts to reach subsidy and schemes meant to boost the activity at the grassroots level.
Poinguinim MLA Ramesh Tawadkar said in times of rising food prices, focus on agriculture becomes important. He suggested that the National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme could be used to boost farming in the State. Presently, the works under this scheme are covered by the Public Works Department, he stated.
Aldona MLA Dayanand Narvekar said it was time to evaluate schemes of the Agriculture Department and see if they were visionary. He pointed out that in Bardez taluka around 3,500 hectares of land was laying fallow but the department had no staff to bring this area under cultivation.
Pernem MLA Dayanand Sopte cast a gloomy picture of the agriculture scenario in his constituency and maintained that last year’s much-promised schemes were pending implementation.
“Government speaks of mechanisation to bring more land under cultivation, but so far I have seen only two tractors in area,” he stated.
Curtorim MLA Reginaldo Lourenco urged the government to extend the support price given to paddy to those who cultivate rice for personal consumption but do not sell it.
