MARGAO: Finally, village panchayat Raia conducted the special gram sabha to discuss on the much discussed draft agricultural policy, however, farmers and villagers managed to put forth their suggestion based on the knowledge gathered on the policy at their own level.
A large number of farmers who attended the meet were totally unaware about what exactly has been mentioned in the draft agricultural policy resulting in requesting to resolve the issues having no connection with the policy.
However, few managed to deliberate on the policy and suggested that agricultural land should not be allowed to be used for any other purposes, rather than farming.
It is pertinent to note that village panchayat Raia had failed to discuss and hear the suggestions on the policy during the special gram sabha meeting held on October 2. But, the panchayat body had come under heavy criticism for sidelining the topic of agriculture policy.
At the meeting, Francisco Fernandes, suggested that no agricultural land should be allowed for other activities and the government needed to put in place measures to protect the agricultural land.
He further suggested that water bodies in the jurisdiction of village panchayat Raia, besides in the state of Goa, need to be protected and preserved.
Fernandes also suggested that agricultural land should be with the agriculture department.
However, what was shocking was that the maximum number of farmers and villagers present at the meeting were totally in the dark about the policy, as they were expecting the panchayat to explain to them about the policy.
Some villagers urged the panchayat body to explain the policy, however, the reply received was that the panchayat body too did not get the copy of the draft agricultural policy.
