Team Goemkarponn
PALE: The Agriculture Department on Monday carried out a joint inspection of sea water-affected paddy fields at Bondpem, Pale, following a representation submitted by the Pale Tolem Xetkar Tenant Association (PTXA) seeking immediate assessment of crop damage and assistance for affected farmers.
The inspection was conducted by officials from the Zonal Agriculture Office, Cortalim, in the presence of Cortalim MLA Anton Vas, Assistant Agriculture Officer Mahesh Kankonkar, Velsao Panch members Jim D’Souza and Remedios Noronha, along with local farmers and PTXA representatives.
The inspection followed a representation by PTXA Chairman Roquezinho D’Souza, who stated that recent sea water ingress had inundated vast stretches of fertile paddy fields, making them unsuitable for cultivation and severely affecting the livelihood of tenant farmers.
The association urged the department to assess the damage, initiate remedial measures, recommend long-term solutions to prevent future sea water intrusion, and provide eligible government compensation to affected farmers.
During the inspection, Assistant Agriculture Officer Mahesh Kankonkar advised farmers to photograph the damaged crops and attach the images to the prescribed compensation application forms before submitting them to the department. He said the applications would be processed and forwarded to higher authorities for consideration.
Kankonkar also informed farmers that their request for a three-metre-wide access road through the paddy fields to facilitate tractor movement and transportation of harvested produce could be considered under the Community Farming Scheme. He requested the PTXA to submit the necessary details along with No Objection Certificates (NOCs) from the concerned farmers.
MLA Anton Vas assured the farming community of his support, stating that efforts would be made to ensure timely assistance for affected farmers and to implement measures to protect agricultural lands from future sea water intrusion.
