Seeks participation of Agriculture dept, WRD and stakeholders
The seminar organised by Citizens for Democracy on “Bapu, Amchim Xetam Zogtolim” at the Grace Church hall, Margao. A section of the participants at the seminar.
Photo Credits: Santosh Mirajkar
MARGAO
A seminar on future of agriculture in the State on Friday has resolved to demand that the government should not allow any conversion of land without seeking the say of the Agriculture Department, Water Resources Department and the stakeholders.
Organised by Citizens for Democracy on the theme “Bapu, Amchim Xetam Zogtolim” – Bapu, Will Our Fields Survive” held at the Grace Church hall, Margao has demanded that agricultural land acquired by the government and not put to use for public purpose should be returned back to the farmers.
Participants lamented that the government policies are oriented to help builders by ignoring the interests of farmers. They demanded that the government adopt the Agriculture Policy to help in protection of the agriculture fields.
In his address, the Paddy Man of Goa, Fr George Quadros said that the large tracts of paddy fields remaining fallow across the State can be brought to cultivation through mechanisation. In this respect, the seminar has sent a message that people keeping land fallow should learn from the success stories under the leadership of Fr George Quadros and take up the challenge thrown by him that use of mechanical cultivation can turn the fields green.
The participants pointed out that the government neither takes the say of Agriculture Department nor the stakeholders in the matters of change of land use. Hence, the seminar resolved that no land conversion should be effected without seeking the say agriculture stakeholders and Water Resources Department.
A successful farmer from North Goa, Varad Samant highlighted how farming and agriculture had become lucrative after hard work. In this respect, the seminar has asked the government to take the case of Varad Samant, who called upon people not to sell agricultural lands, as a test case and encourage young farmers to take to farming.
Convenor of Citizens for Democracy, Elvis Gomes slammed the government over the absence of any policy towards agriculture. He held the government responsible for making the State dependent on getting agricultural produce from outside the State. He later told the media that the Citizens for Democracy will take forward the numerous suggestions made at the seminar by the experts on agriculture.
“The seminar has taken serious note of the land grabbing by the government via the Land Acquisition Act and the present grabbing carried out by the mafia by force.
He said there was an unanimous view amongst the participants that the government should maintain the command areas by making water available to the farmers.
Retired Deputy Director of Agriculture, Amancio Fernandes underscored the need for an Agriculture Policy to stop rampant land conversion. “There have been reports of the Agriculture Policy prepared by the Agriculture Department. But, the policy has still not been notified till date. We need the Agriculture Policy to save the agriculture fields for posterity,” Fernandes said.
Amongst others, the seminar was addressed by young farmer Varad Samant, Avertino Miranda, Fr George Quadros, Elvis Gomes, Amancio Fernandes.
Former Directors of Agriculture Orlando Rodrigues, Nevil Afonso and Nelson Figueiredo were present at the seminar.
