Farmers and res idents from Mandopa and adjoining areas of Navelim have appealed to the State Government to provide im mediate compensation af ter herds of stray buffaloes and cattle allegedly entered their paddy fields, destroy ing newly planted crops and causing heavy financial losses during the crucial cultivation season. The affected cultivators have also urged the Agricul ture Department to conduct an urgent inspection of the damaged fields and initiate measures to prevent recur ring incidents that threaten agricultural activity in the village every monsoon. Highlighting the issue, local leader Siddesh Bhagat said farmers have invested considerable money and labour in preparing their fields, only to see their crops destroyed by stray animals.
Speaking to reporters, Bhagat said buffaloes and cows have been frequent ly entering paddy fields in Mandopa and neighbour ing areas, trampling young paddy saplings and undo ing weeks of hard work. He further urged the au thorities to evolve a long term mechanism to prevent stray cattle from entering cultivated fields, saying the problem has persisted for several years despite repeated complaints from farmers. Affected farmers said large portions of their fields had been damaged days after transplantation.
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Sebastian Fernandes said the destruction came just after planting, while Fran cisca Fernandes pointed to rising input costs and unpredictable weather. Ma ria Rodrigues said many continue farming only to preserve Goa’s agricultural traditions. The farmers urged the Agriculture and Animal Husbandry departments and the local panchayat to jointly assess the damage, provide compensation and implement measures to prevent stray cattle from entering paddy fields.
