A massive residential project in Taleigao is taking shape amid an expanse of paddy and vegetable fields. Initial work on fencing and landfilling has begun with the project proponents disclosing permissions from local panchayat and other authorities. Interestingly, the identity of the project and the name of the builder are kept a secret. The project, however, tramples upon the very foundations of the State’s recently launched agricultural policy — Goa State Amritkal Agricultural Policy 2025, an initiative aimed at preventing the conversion of dwindling farmlands into urban developments.
Herein lies a poignant example of the tensions between development and preservation where lush green fields give way to concrete structures. Chief Minister Pramod Sawant has consistently stressed the need to protect agricultural land. The agri policy intended to modernize the agricultural sector, ensuring it remains a sustainable pillar of Goa’s economy. It included several promising measures, from integrating agricultural education in schools to promoting agro-tourism. However, what was envisioned as a watershed moment for the preservation of Goa’s agricultural landscape now faces an unsettling reality, as glaring contradictions arise.
It is surprising how permissions for this project were issued when there is so much talk about banning the conversion of agricultural land, particularly paddy fields. This raises critical questions about the efficacy and enforcement of regulatory frameworks designed to protect Goa’s fragile ecosystem. The Goa State Amritkal Agricultural Policy was meant to be a safeguard, but the Taleigao project, a product of systemic loopholes and perhaps even collusion among local policymakers, demonstrates a failure in execution. It is obvious that there is an intermingling of power and commercial interests, leaving the environment and local communities at the mercy of unchecked development driven by profit.
The Goa bench of the Bombay High Court recently admonished state authorities for their lax enforcement against illegal constructions, affirming the need to protect Goa’s cherished natural heritage. The court's observations reflect a pervasive sentiment among Goans of a deep-rooted worry that the state’s ecological balance is under threat. The disconnect between policy formulation and on-ground reality sends a disheartening message that despite well-meaning governance, the state’s agricultural legacy is at risk of being overshadowed by financial interests.
The agriculture policy is not the only reform aimed at protecting farming, the Goa Restrictions on Transfer of Agricultural Land Rules, 2023 were notified in October 2023 to ensure that agricultural lands are not transferred to corporate or non-farming entities. So then, why is there such a stark disconnect between policy intention and practice? Why is the State failing to protect farmland? The failure to halt or even scrutinize the Taleigao project raises doubts about the sincerity of the government’s pledges to protect and promote agriculture.
We must confront these paradoxes head-on. Upholding the integrity of the agricultural policy requires not merely rhetorical commitments but stringent enforcement and public transparency. It is crucial that residents, activists, and concerned stakeholders collectively advocate for the preservation of Goa’s farmland, ensuring that the true spirit of the Goa State Amritkal Agricultural Policy is respected. If we are to reclaim or revive our agricultural identity from the clutches of rampant urbanization the government must walk its talk. Let there be no compromises.
