SANGUEM: At a meeting held to discuss Goa’s draft Agriculture Policy, farmers from Sanguem taluka squarely blamed the mining industry for destroying their agricultural lands and called for a ban on mining activities in proximity to agricultural lands to protect their crops.
The farmers also complained about the step motherly treatment meted out to them by the State Agriculture Department, and the challenges they face in receiving the government’s support.
One of the primary concerns expressed by the farmers was the detrimental impact of mining on their agricultural lands, particularly paddy fields. They argued that mining activities lead to the flow of ore rejects into their fields, rendering them uncultivable.
The farmers also stressed the importance of introducing insurance for farmers and their crops to help them cope with adverse conditions, including accidents that may occur during agricultural work.
Another key issue raised by the farmers was the lack of support and infrastructure provided by the Agriculture Department. They lamented that the department does not adequately address their concerns and lacks the necessary resources to assist farmers in their work. Farmers reported the need to independently secure essential tools and machinery, such as harvesting machines, tractors, power tillers, and grass cutters.
The farmers suggested the prohibition of land-use change for areas designated for agriculture, especially those falling within the Command Area. They emphasised the necessity of regular maintenance of water bodies and called for a halt to hill cutting and plateau levelling, citing the adverse effects on natural water storage systems.
Additional recommendations included conducting a fresh survey to identify lands in possession of farmers and fostering regular interaction between Agriculture Officers and farmers to better understand their challenges.
Prominent farmers who shared their views during the meeting included Anil Kakodkar, Santano Rodrigues, and Constancio Mascarenhas.
