Team Herald
MARGAO: With the paddy harvest fast approaching in São José de Areal, local farmers are facing a major obstacle: high-tension electricity wires that block access to their fields. The wires make it unsafe for farmers to reach their crops, putting both their safety and equipment
at risk.
The inability to access their fields threatens to delay the timely harvesting of paddy, essential for preserving crop quality. Farmers fear that any further delays could result in significant financial losses.
On Wednesday, a group of farmers gathered to address the issue of these high-tension wires. They expressed their concerns over how the situation could endanger their livelihoods and called on local authorities to take swift action. The meeting saw the participation of Zilla Panchayat member Michelle Rebello, former ZP member and Congress leader Moreno Rebello, alongside several other community leaders and farmers, reflecting the collective urgency to resolve the issue.
Michelle pledged her support to the farmers and assured them she would raise the matter with the relevant authorities. Moreno Rebello emphasised the importance of community leaders working together to protect the safety and well-being of the farming community. He also pointed out that other development projects, such as the construction of an elevated irrigation canal, have further worsened access to the fields.
The farmers noted that these high-tension wires prevent harvesting machines from entering their fields, forcing them to rely on makeshift access routes, which must be reconstructed with each harvest. Without proper machine access, the farmers are at risk of losing their crops, particularly with the ongoing rainy season.
“If we cannot harvest on time due to these access issues, the loss will be devastating,” the farmers said. Moreno Rebello, also chairman of the local farmers’ club, stressed the need for a permanent solution. “These continuous problems discourage farmers, and every development project seems to victimise them. The people of São José de Areal have already suffered from projects like the IDC, railways, and Goa Carbon. The government must do more to support farmers instead of adding to their difficulties.”