PANJIM, OCT 20
The incessant rains in the past couple of days came in as a misery to farmers as it destroyed nearly 25 per cent paddy cultivation across the State.
Speaking to Herald, Agriculture Director Satish Tendulkar said that the crop is mostly affected in North Goa.
The worst affected talukas are Pernem, Bardez and Ponda. “Harvesting could not be done because of the unending rainfall. Whereas fields at Velsao (Mormugao) village, where harvesting was almost complete, are destroyed…We have received several complaints from these villages,” he said.
As a result of this, he said, the paddy cultivation is likely to drop by 20 per cent as rains continue to lash Goa.
Asked whether the affected farmers will be compensated for losses, Tendulkar replied that they are yet to take a decision.
While, 70 per cent harvesting in Salcete taluka has been complete, farmers of Canacona taluka are yet to garner paddy crop.
“Canacona is a low lying area and as waters get accumulated, it damages crops. But harvesting in Tiswadi taluka has been good,” he said. Goa covers 31,000 hectare land under paddy cultivation that produces 1.20 lakh tonne.
According to official statistics, more than 15,000 Goan families are dependent on farming.
“Harvesting of only 20 per cent kharif crop is complete as on date, and 80 per cent paddy is still in the field. Some crop has germinated on the plant itself…” he added.
The department has meanwhile asked respective zonal agricultural officers to inspect the fields, carry out a survey and prepare a data of losses.
“Complaints of damages of standing crops is being reported almost everyday,” a senior agricultural officer said.
Arecanut farmers demand compensation
Since the rains have also damaged arecanut cultivation by nearly 20 per cent, farmers have demanded the Agriculture Department to compensate for their losses. Tendulkar said that farmers have furnished applications for compensation through Goa Bagayatdar Cooperative Society.
“We have not taken any decision because of the on-going code of conduct (owing to the just-ended Valpoi election and its counting on Thursday).
Nonetheless, we have asked our officers to conduct a survey and evaluate their losses, as the production is hit because of diseases, also,” he said.
The department has been offering subsides to farmers at each level of the crop production till its final products are for sale.
“We give support prices when the farmers place these products for sale,” the officer said.
