MARGAO: Several farmers across Salcete taluka are worried as heavy rains caused extensive damage to their newly planted paddy saplings.
Expressing concerns over the scale of the damage, the impact on their livelihoods, The farmers have now sought assistance and support to mitigate the losses and restore their agricultural activities.
On the other hand, the Salcete Zonal Agriculture Office has confirmed agricultural fields being flooded due to incessant rainfall. It observed that saplings of paddy, cultivated using mechanised methods have been swept away.
It has been reported that several agricultural fields in Seraulim, Benaulim, Chinchinim, Raia, Fatorda, Macasana, Betalbatim, and others are submerged due to the heavy rainfall. The continuous downpour has led to extensive flooding, impacting the livelihoods of farmers in these areas.
Speaking to O Heraldo, Mariano Fernandes, a farmer from Raia, said his entire field is submerged due to the heavy rainfall. He reported that nearly 60 percent of the paddy saplings he had planted have washed away.
“It will be a huge loss for me. There are several other farmers from Raia who are also suffering from losses to their paddy fields due to heavy rains,” he stated. “We cannot even re-plant the saplings as the rains continue to pour, resulting in flooding in the fields,” Fernandes continued.
Caitano D’Souza, another farmer said, “There are hardly any chances to recover from the losses, if the rains do not stop immediately.”
He said, “This is the time saplings start taking roots; however, the rains have damaged it in a big way.”
Shariff Furtado, Salcete Zonal Agricultural Officer, confirmed the reports of fields being flooded in various parts of Salcete. He confirmed the severity of the situation, stating that heavy rainfall has led to widespread flooding, affecting agricultural activities significantly.
Furtado assured that the Agriculture Department is actively assessing the damage and coordinating efforts to assist affected farmers.
“It has been noticed that those saplings planted through mechanised methods have been damaged more as compared to those planted traditionally,” stated Furtado.
Informing that only two applications have been received till Wednesday seeking compensation, Furtado appealed to farmers to submit their applications promptly.