MAPUSA: Goa’s largest community farming belonging to over 500 farmers of St Estevam Island are in the process of applying for compensation for their crop loss.
The recent floods destroyed over 15 lakh square metres of paddy fields in this village. The loss incurred by these farmers due to the disaster came as a huge blow to the attempt of community farming to revive Goa’s agricultural economy in general and paddy cultivation in particular.
Farmers Club of St Estevam President Nestor Rangel said that they have decided not to do anything in the fields.
“We are planning of growing alsando and vegetables to help pay back the people who invested in farming. Most of the crop is damaged. We are waiting and hoping for enough seeds to plant next season,” Rangel said.
Goa Green Brigade Coordinator Avertino Miranda, who is also heading the social marketing of the Goan brown rice, said that their crop has been totally destroyed.
“The St Estevam farmers are trying to recoup this huge loss. They are in the process of applying for compensation from the government and hoping for the announcement of adequate quantum of compensation as well as its immediate payment. From flooding of the paddy fields they are now facing acute water shortage,” Miranda said.
