Congress demands white paper on agri production

Panaji: Criticising the state government for making false assurances to farmers, Congress on Friday demanded a white paper on the fallow land in the state and the annual crop production. It said the government has failed to provide subsidies and support price in time for the farmers.
The party’s general secretary Moreno Rebelo, along with other Congress functionaries, met the agriculture director and questioned the delay in disbursal of subsidies and support price to farmers. Rebelo also demanded that the department increase the financial assistance to farmers.
“I demand that the government release white paper on crop production and fallow land. We want to know whether fallow land is coming under cultivation when the government is boasting of doing activities in this area,” Congress’ Everson Valles said.
Rebelo said that when the government announces schemes, farmers look forward to reaping the benefits but fail to get the agriculture department’s support. He added that the support price for paddy and coconut should be increased along with the subsidy for machinery.
Congress said that it is foolish to urge youths to take up agriculture if the government fails to provide support.