A delegation of approximately 25 farmers from various parts of Goa recently held a crucial meeting with the state's Director of Agriculture. The central issue raised was the soaring cost of agricultural inputs, coupled with a subsidy mechanism that the farmers argue is rendering their profession economically unsustainable.
Core Issues: Price Disparity and Outdated Standard Costs
The farmers presented a stark comparison of prices to illustrate their plight. They highlighted a major flaw in the current subsidy system: benefits are only accessible if materials are bought from government-recognized dealers within Goa, where prices are markedly inflated.
For instance, a plough costing roughly Rs 93,000 in Goa is available for approximately Rs 56,000 in other states, even after including transportation charges. Another glaring example is the cost of lime. While a subsidy of about Rs 60,000 is provided, the mandate to purchase it solely from authorized Goan dealers skyrockets the total cost for 20 tonnes to nearly Rs 2.5 lakh. The same quantity can be sourced from neighboring regions like Karnataka for around Rs 90,000.
A critical demand put forth is the urgent revision of the standard cost fixed by the agriculture department for essential materials. This list includes:
- Drip irrigation systems and pumps
- Pipes and mulching sheets
- Brush cutters and tractors
- Fencing and planting materials
The farmers pointed out that these standard costs were established nearly 15 years ago and bear no relation to current market prices, leading to grossly inadequate subsidy support.
Key Demands: From Power Tariffs to Tribal Subsidies
Beyond input costs, the farmers submitted a comprehensive list of demands to the government. They called for an upward revision of vegetable procurement rates, citing a significant increase in labour costs. On the energy front, they stressed that electricity charges for agricultural use frequently surpass production costs and urged the government to maintain minimal power tariffs for farming activities.
Tribal farmers belonging to the Scheduled Tribe (ST) category put forward a specific demand for the restoration of the earlier 90% subsidy on agricultural machinery like tractors and trailers, which has now been slashed to 50%.
Additional Appeals for Financial Security
The delegation also pressed for several other measures to ensure financial stability and risk mitigation. These include:
- Seeking timely financial assistance under the Shetkari Aadhar Nidhi scheme.
- Expediting the implementation of a weather-based crop insurance scheme.
- Providing subsidies for replacing damaged fencing (solar, barbed wire, or chain link).
- Updating cultivation methods for horticulture crops.
The meeting underscored a growing crisis in Goa's agrarian sector, where farmers feel trapped by a system that inadvertently increases their financial burden instead of alleviating it. Their appeals now await action from the state authorities.
