GOACAN has appealed to the Directorate of Agriculture to expedite the inauguration of the office of the ZAO Mormugao at Cortalim in the coming fortnight of June so that farmers and consumers can benefit from the same and can also benefit from the remaining 6 months of the International Year of Millets 2023
In a letter to Nevil Alphonso, Director of Agriculture, GOACAN has pointed out that in view of the rains, it would be appropriate for the office to be opened at the earliest so that DoA officers are available to serve the people of Mormugao taluka.
GOACAN has further stated that there are many schemes of the Directorate of Agriculture that the farmers and consumers of Mormugao wish to take advantage of, but have to travel to Margao to the ZAO Salcete taluka for the benefit of the same. One can very well imagine their plight if they have to travel to Margao yet again during the rains this year as well.
It may be noted that GOACAN had written to the director of agriculture on June 3, 2020, pointing out that Mormugao Taluka did not have a full-fledged Zonal Agriculture Office and farmers and consumers had to go to Margao to access all the schemes of the Directorate as the Salcete ZAO did not have an additional charge.
After GOACAN highlighted this reality, the director and his team, with dedication and determination, moved the required proposal to the Goa government for the necessary sanction for the budget outlay, staff, required premises, etc.
Over the last 3 years many farmers' clubs, social organisations, village panchayats, Mormugao Municipal Council, zilla panchayat members and MLAs had endorsed the demand for a full-fledged ZAO for Mormugao taluka. After a search for suitable office premises at Vasco and Chicalim for the proposed ZAO, the director of agriculture finally decided to locate the same at Cortalim.
Copies of the GOACAN letter have been sent to the chief secretary and secretary of agriculture and consumer affairs, the South Goa collector, the director of panchayats, municipal administration, food and drug administration, civil supplies and consumer affairs, the chief general manager of NABARD Goa Regional Office, the deputy collector, mamlatdar and block development officer, Mormugao taluka.