PONDA: Swearing to preserve and protect their land for the future generations, Ponda residents and farmers echoed their sentiments at a meeting held at Agribazaar Market Yard here and stated that they would not allow conversion of agriculture for construction.
The farmers said that before formulating an Agriculture Policy, the massive agriculture land conversions for development works, residential complexes, and road construction should be stopped. They argued that Ponda and Goa are mainly agriculture based and State government should not only focus on tourism only but also boost agriculture.
“ The consent of farmers, cultivators and Agriculture Department should be made compulsory before conversion of agricultural land,” said the farmers in one voice.
The meeting was organised by Director of Agriculture asking for suggestions of farmers for formulating the Agriculture Policy of State. Satish Tendulkar, Member of Agriculture Policy farmers’ committee, Ponda ZAO Santosh Gaonkar, ZP Priya Chari, Deepak Borkar, Marcaim Sarpanch Shailendra Panajikar, Veling-Priol Sarpanch Shailendra Panajikar and others were present.
The farmers alleged that Government is laying lot of emphasis on tourism but there is also need to encourage agriculture in the State. They said for everything including vegetables and milk, Goans are depend on the neighbouring states and so there is need for revival of Agriculture in Goa.
Satish Tendulkar said the grievances of farmers would be forwarded to Agriculture Department. He said the common problem faced by farmers would be incorporated in the Agriculture Policy which would be formed by the government.
Another farmer said today’s situation in Goa is such that that farmers don’t know when their land would be converted. Sometimes it is even converted overnight. The farmers also pointed out that due to the destruction of hills and forests, wild animals are losing their habitat and invading fields. They suggested that the forest department should plant fruit bearing trees so that animals will not enter villages.
Pointing out that most of Agricultural land is fallow, the farmers suggested that revival of agriculture could be done through several schemes. The farmers said they felt the absence of youth in formulating Agriculture Policy and expressed concern that only senior farmers aged above 50 years were doing farming simply due to their liking or passion for agriculture activities.
