MARGAO: Betalbatim, Camorlim, Navelim and other panchayats demanded a farmer-centric agriculture policy and warned the government not to take away farmers’ rights.
They passed resolutions, besides accusing the government of failing to deliberate on the problems faced by the farming community in the policy.
At the Betalbatim gram sabha, a villager alleged that the government must first stop taking away the agricultural land from the farmers for housing projects.
“Many youth who had earlier shown interest in agricultural activities are now shying away with no timely support from the government. Agriculturel land continues to face threat from mega projects with government authorities issuing NOCs without taking into consideration the impact on the agriculture sector, the villager claimed.
He pointed out that the issue pertaining to timely support to farmers facing losses is sidelined by the government.
Camorlim sarpanch Basilio Fernandes said that gram sabha members have resolved to protect the agricultural land, including safeguarding the khazans.
Navelim’s former sarpanch Paul Pereira said that the panchayat has given more time to farmers to come up with more suggestions.
