PANAJI: Ever since the lockdown was imposed in the country nearly one year ago, many locals took it upon themselves to grow their own food, while some others took it a step forward and formed farmer groups to cultivate decades-old fallow lands .
Till now, a total of 41,900 farmers in Goa have been granted a Krishi card. The directorate of agriculture has enrolled 1,400 farmers for a Krishi card in 2020-21, but the number is expected to be much more, thus showing an exponential increase in new farmers in Goa.
“After lockdown, many farmers have come forward to obtain a Krishi card. Though the lockdown started in March, people went into agriculture by April-May. This included people that had returned to Goa from abroad besides those that were at home due to the lockdown. The 1,400 new Krishi cards are farmers that registered after lockdown,” a senior agriculture officer said.
However, despite these numbers, department officials have received reports from zonal agricultural officers that there are many more farmers that are either yet to apply for a Krishi card or do not fit the criteria for the card.
“For instance, there are many people that have grown crops in a small area of less than 500sqm. Naturally, they will not register for a Krishi card,” the officer said.
Moreover, department rules mandate that farmers cannot avail of financial assistance through government schemes without having the Krishi card. Most farmers come forward to apply for the card only to avail of assistance from the department.
These are for large expenses such as erection of a fence around the farm, digging a well or installing a pump or pipeline, purchasing machinery, etc. Only then do they apply for a Krishi card. Schemes such as 50% subsidy for vegetable seeds is given to farmers even if they don’t have a Krishi card.
Despite the phenomenal response, the department has started a Krishi card enrolment programme to bring more farmers under the Krishi card.
“This is a special campaign to bring more farmers – who are eligible – under Krishi card.” the officer said.