Farmers in Mormugao Taluka have received compensation of approximately Rs 10 lakh for the damage caused to their crops by heavy monsoon rains.

Farmers in Mormugao Taluka have received compensation of approximately Rs 10 lakh for the damage caused to their crops by heavy monsoon rains.

The compensation, provided through government support and the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund, has been hailed as a significant step in aiding the local agricultural community.

Mormugao Zonal Agricultural Officer Mahesh Kankonkar, while speaking to reporters during a survey of farms in Velsao, highlighted the department’s efforts in assessing the damage.

“There have been very heavy rains in the last two days, and many crops have been damaged. We are personally inspecting and surveying the affected farms. This monsoon season has been particularly strong, and many farmers have suffered substantial losses,” said Kankonkar.

Kankonkar explained the process of compensating farmers, noting that the department had collected applications from those affected, verified the claims, and conducted inspections before disbursing the funds.

“We received 73 cases of Krishi cardholders covering an area of 12.68 hectares, and we compensated them with Rs 5.78 lakh. Additionally, for the first time, non-Krishi cardholders were offered compensation through the CM’s Relief Fund. We received 83 such applications for an area of 12.84 hectares, and they were compensated with Rs 4.73 lakh,” he stated.

He further encouraged farmers to submit new applications if their crops had been damaged during recent rains.

“We are inviting applications from farmers whose crops may have been damaged during the harvesting stage or in the last two days. We are here in Velsao today at the request of the Pale Tolem Xetkaranche Association (PTXA) President Roquezinho D’Souza to survey such farmlands,” Kankonkar added.

PTXA President Roquezinho D’Souza expressed gratitude for the prompt compensation provided, especially after the Zonal Agriculture Office (ZAO) was relocated to Cortalim.

“For the first time, farmers have received compensation in quick time. Earlier, the compensation process would take years, but now it has been cleared swiftly. We are thankful to Chief Minister Pramod Sawant for extending the CM’s Relief Fund to non-Krishi cardholders,” said D’Souza.

“The crops were about to be harvested, but some have already suffered damage. We are carrying out physical inspections and submitting applications to the department to ensure that compensation is provided promptly,” D’Souza added.

PTXA General Secretary Anant Satarkar and Panch member Jim D’Souza also spoke on the occasion, lauding the quick action taken by the government and the agricultural department in supporting the local farmers during a challenging season.

Source - https://www.thegoan.net