Mormugao farmers seek govt aid after crop losses

Vasco: Several farmers in Mormugao taluka who suffered heavy losses due to unseasonal rains in Oct expect the govt to compensate them. According to the Mormugao zonal office, around 850 farmers cultivate paddy in the taluka.Zonal officer Nilesh Vaingankar said farmers who delayed harvesting suffered major losses, while those who completed harvesting before the rains managed to protect their yield.Most farmers cultivate either Jyothi or Jaya, the popular high-yielding rice varieties in the area.Vaingankar said he and his staff met with the panchayat members of Cortalim, Sancoale, Chicalim, Chicolna-Bogmalo, Velsao-Pale-Issorcim, Cansaulim-Arossim-Cuelim, and Quelossim. “We handed the farmers application forms so that they could apply for compensation. Once we receive the filled forms, the monet will be processed,” he said.“We are trying our best to ensure every affected farmer gets compensation,” Vaingankar added