MAPUSA
Chief Minister Pramod Sawant assured the Goa Legislative Assembly that traditional farmers growing seasonal vegetables and fruits, whose crops have been affected by torrential rains, will receive immediate compensation before Ganesh Chaturthi.
“These farmers often cultivate on comunidade land or land owned by landlords and do not possess Krishi cards, making them ineligible for official compensation from the agriculture department. All such farmers who have suffered losses will be compensated through the CM Relief Fund,” Sawant stated.
He informed the Assembly that Zonal Agriculture Officers (ZAOs) have been directed to conduct surveys to assess crop damage and facilitate the necessary compensation.
Sawant also pledged that all farmers who have not yet received compensation for last year’s crop damage will be paid before the end of the monsoon session on August 7.
Addressing future concerns, the Chief Minister mentioned the possibility of formulating an insurance scheme to compensate farmers who face losses due to natural disasters.
The assurance came in response to concerns raised by Curchorem MLA Nilesh Cabral, who highlighted the plight of seasonal traditional cultivators in areas such as Farmagudi, Bandora, and parts of Ponda and Quepem talukas.
These farmers, who rely on crops like cucumber, bitter gourd, ridge gourd, brinjal etc have seen their crops damaged by heavy rainfall over the past 15 days.
“This is the only livelihood for many local people, and they are deprived of their sole source of income due to the crop damage,” Cabral stated, urging the government to provide financial assistance.
“The land is not in their name, nor do they have Krishi cards. We must take a humanitarian view and grant them compensation,” he added.
Margao MLA Digambar Kamat supported Cabral’s appeal, noting that these farmers depend on the seasonal income and lack proper documentation for the land they cultivate.
“They need some relaxation to receive compensation,” Kamat said.
Leader of Opposition, Yuri Alemao, emphasized the need for timely relief for the affected farmers.
MLAs Michael Lobo, Altone D’Costa, Vijai Sardesai, and Rudolf Fernandes also voiced their support.
Earlier, Agriculture Minister Ravi Naik assured that the government would do everything possible to help the poor farmers.
