MARGAO: Insisting on a complete ban on non-agricultural usage of agricultural land, the Goa Panchayati Raj Institutions (GPRI), an NGO called for providing cold chain facilities such as cold storage vans, storage units and basic value addition setups, which would assist local farmers in transporting their fresh produce to urban areas efficiently.
These are some of the proposals GPRI asked the government to implement.
GPRI proposed immediate subsidy payments to farmers, ideally right after harvest. They recommended empowering Biodiversity Management Committees (BMCs) to endorse farmers for Krishi Cards, streamlining procedures to include small farmer clubs, tenant associations, and other unorganised farming groups in the same platform as Krishi Card holders.
GPRI convenor Santan Rodrigues called for granting special recognition and incentives to farmers employing traditional agricultural practices. He emphasised the need to support the cultivation of indigenous species in nurseries, strengthen community seed banks, and promote local varieties over commercially-grown ones.
Rodrigues highlighted the importance of governmental support in popularising the nutritional significance of local varieties, focusing on low glycemic index rice, and integrating farmers into this initiative.
GPRI also proposed reinforcing the support system for command areas and canals, ensuring proper irrigation facilities, micro-irrigation, and consistent monitoring of water flow in existing irrigation canals.
Rodrigues urged for notifying local farmers about water availability and ensuring sufficient stock arrangements.
Moreover, GRPI called for prioritising the revival of closed or damaged canals and suggested the formation of a cluster-level committee integrating various departments to resolve such issues at the local level.
This collaborative effort involves the Water Resources Department (WRD), Forest Department, Agricultural Officers, and BMCs working together to address problems effectively.
