Margao: Agriculture Minister Vijai Sardesai today announced that the Goa Government would provide subsidy for farm machinery sourced by farmers even from outside the state or bought online .
The minister conceded this long pending demand of the Goan farming community whilst speaking after distributing free seeds to the farmers of Fatorda constituency under the banner of Fatorda Agro Works at the Farmers Market at Ambaji in Fatorda constituency. Goan farmers have been long complaining that even though the Government provides subsidy for farm machinery the benefits of the same don’t reach the farmers due to overpriced inputs supplied by Goan farm machinery dealers. Vijai however cautioned the farmers that they need to be conscious of the product as subsidy once availed cannot be again sought for the next six years. Stressing on timely maintenance of the subsidised machinery and attention to the manufacturing company’s profile, Sardesai said the Government was also contemplating creation and support to local farmers societies under the Societies Act to provide farm machinery support .
Sardesai also pointed out that the state Govt is all set to provide 90% subsidy for major infrastructure under community farming with the main intention being to bring fallow lands under cultivation. In this the Govt would accord priority to areas affected by the mining ban.
Vijai also assured the farmers that the annual distribution of free fertiliser would also be followed soon . He said that the practice of providing Fatorda farmers with free seeds and fertiliser that he has been following since almost the last decade would now not happen on June 14, his birthday as he would not be celebrating his birthday due to the Chief Minister’s illness as also Power Minister’s hospitalisation. Elaborating that the practice of politicians celebrating their own birthdays with pomp is an object of ridicule in other states like Kerala and is considered akin to self obsession, Vijai said Goa Revolution Day on June 18 th is a better occasion for him for initiating and inauguration of signature projects like the renovated SPDA retail fish market since ushering in planned development should be seen as the next revolution for the state . He reaffirmed his resolve to strike the right balance of boosting agriculture whilst also ushering in planned development in the state .
The distribution function was attended by all municipal councillors from Fatorda as well as the Chairpersons and Vice Chairperson of MMC , Dr Babita Prabhudesai and Tito Cardozo respectively.
