Aldona MLA, Carlos Ferreira inaugurating a harvester machine at Nachinola recently.
MAPUSA
Emphasising on the need to increase agricultural produce, Aldona MLA Carlos Ferreira said this can be achieved by using modern technology along with traditional methods for farming.
Ferreira also requested the government to help the farming community so that they can cultivate a variety of crops and increase their produce.
“Modern technology along with traditional methods needs to be adopted in agriculture. With traditional farming, our farmers know when to grow the type of crops. Machines cannot achieve perfection. However, with the use of machines, we can increase the quantum of produce and boost profits,” Ferreira said.
The Aldona MLA was speaking after inaugurating the first paddy harvesting machine at Nachinola.
Eleven such machines have been made available for the farmers under a government subsidy scheme.
Ferreira also appealed to the government to assist farmers.
“For agriculture to progress, the farmers need assistance. I had even raised the issue in the assembly to increase the minimum support price for farmers. I will meet the agriculture minister and chief minister and renew the request to provide benefits under the existing scheme or formulate a new scheme,” he said.
He said there were complaints of some seeds having failed this year and therefore the fields had to be recultivated.
“But the farmers are enthusiastic and we will support them as much as possible. I thank the farmers who still continue to cultivate their fields. Many have got jobs and even migrated abroad, while the fields are lying barren,” he said.
