Goa: Bethki-Khandola farmers drown in misery as saline water floods paddy fields

Around 40 farmers from the Ardon Shetkari Sangatana in the Bethki-Khandola Panchayat jurisdiction of Priol Constituency are in distress after their paddy fields were submerged under saline water. Ryots fear further destruction of their already damaged vegetable crops if the water level rises further.

The incident occurred following a breach in the bandharas, while the sluice gate’s wooden doors were damaged, allowing saline water to gush into the paddy fields.

“ We have raised, chilli, vegetable, radddish and other crops which are already submerged and if the water level continues to rise, then our crops will be completely destroyed,” said Shagun Gaude, a local farmer.

Many farmers fear that the paddy saplings are likely to rot and sustain further damage. They have urgently called on the authorities, including agricultural officers and the Water Resources Department (WRD), to repair and restore the breaches in the bandharas and fix the damaged sluice gate doors.

“The government must act immediately to prevent further damage,” the farmers said, highlighting that their livelihoods depend on paddy and vegetable cultivation. The presence of saline water in the fields poses a serious threat to their farming activities.

According to the farmers, the saline water is entering the fields due to the damaged and deteriorated condition of the wooden sluice gate doors and planks. The destruction of vegetable crops has already resulted in an estimated financial loss of Rs 10 lakh.

“Soil salinization is among the most critical threats to agriculture and food security. Excess of slats adversely affects soil structure and fertility, plant growth, crop yield and microorganisms” say agricultural officers.

“We fear it will become difficult to undertake Vaigan (Rabi) paddy cultivation. Unless the government carries out the necessary repair works, it will be challenging to grow any crops in these fields,” said the farmers. They further explained that the sluice gate doors were installed three years ago, but damage to the bottom of the wooden doors has caused water to gush into the fields.

The farmers have appealed for the immediate intervention of the three MLAs and ministers from Ponda Taluka, including WRD Minister Subash Shirodkar and Agriculture Minister Ravi Naik, to resolve the issue. They also sought the assistance of Art and Culture Minister Govind Gaude, who is the local MLA, to address their plight.

This article was been republished from The HeraldGoa.