MARGAO: Claiming that nearly 5,000 paddy farmers in Goa are suffering on account of non-release of support price subsidy for two consecutive years, farmers from Maina-Curtorim on Monday demanded that the government release the subsidy immediately.
Briefing media persons, the farmers complained that they are facing a lot of hardships due to the delay on the part of the government in releasing the subsidy for the financial year of 2022-23.
They also demanded that Agriculture Minister Ravi Naik take cognisance of the issue and address their demands at the earliest.
“Release our support price immediately. We have not received the support price from the Agriculture Department of the last two crops. This is a big blow to the farmers who have been toiling hard to cultivate the fields. The government is making announcements everywhere that we are giving support prices, but actually the farmers have to struggle,” claimed Moreno Rebello, leader of the farmer group.
Some farmers also complained that they have been denied the subsidy for machinery purchased during the same period.
Rebello accused the government of deliberately discouraging them by withholding the subsidy for the past two years and claimed that it appears that vested interests are eyeing the land and are trying to sabotage the farmers’ efforts.
“While the government organises events such as the Fruit Festival and Krishi Mahotsav to promote agriculture, the basic needs of farmers are being overlooked,” he said.
The farmers concurred with him and said that instead of celebrating such events, the government should prioritise the release of the support price subsidy, as it serves as an encouragement for farmers.
The farmers warned that if the government continues to discourage them in this manner, the youth may be discouraged from pursuing farming as a career.
