PRATIK PARAB
DAVORLIM: These fields in Davorlim are a part of fertile water-rich land, which has been a source of income for several tribal people and also a supply of locally grown vegetables for the markets in and around Margao. Vegetables ranging from Black Pepper, brinjals, bottle Gourd, and Red Spinach etc are grown seasonally in these fields, which help the farmers make a living. The fields are cultivated all year round, with paddy and vegetables being grown in alternate seasons.
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One and a half years ago, villagers had alleged that the contractor of Railways had vehemently trampled the fields, uprooted the grown vegetables, and dumped mud on vegetable bearing plants. The local Navelim MLA Luizinho Faleiro and former Davorlim Sarpanch Sahar Shaikh who had visited the site along with the farmers, had testified that there is destruction of fields.
There was resentment among the farmers because of this act of the Railways.
Faleiro, the former Chief Minister, had taken this up and complained to the District Administration, the Additional Collector Agnelo Fernandes along with the Agriculture Director who had ordered for stoppage of work.
There was a glimmer of hope a few months ago with the farmers inaugurating a community farming activity and succeeding in making hybrid vegetables with a high yield. But the hope appears to be short-lived. Today, at least 50 farmers are staring at a loss of not just their fields but about a way of life they hold very dear.
Herald contacted the farmers from Davorlim who cultivate the fields parallel to the Railway track. Alex Borges said, “I have protested against the acquisition of our fertile land and will continue to do that.”
Amidst the chaos of the protests, Alex said there is no point in protesting now as the work on both sides of the track has already been completed and land has also been levelled.
Villagers and farmers from the locality added that as the new Land Acquisition Act assured triple the reward for land acquired, many tillers have already given their land. There are tillers of the land, whose legal owners and forefathers who cultivated this land are still alive and they are now seeing their land being taken. The people had back then urged a proper participative process for acquisition of land, but according to them, that hasn’t happened.
After the assurance from the Collector regarding stopping the work, farmer Piedade Dias, had in enthusiasm sought the Agriculture Department’s help for increasing and improving yield. Though the entire field is not lost entirely, the overpowering of an agency has reduced the enthusiasm among the villagers.
Faleiro added, “I had 3 years ago, warned that the villagers of Davorlim are already suffering as there is at least 1 mm coal dust in the village. In March 2019, I had written to the District Administration to come and see the destruction due to the work of the second tack and construction of walls. The office of Collector South had ordered the stoppage of work. This very office just one and a half years later gives permission for the work. I had formed a community farming activity after the stoppage of work.”
