Ramesh Savaikar
Bicholim: Farmers from Bicholim taluka saw a steep drop in paddy yield estimated at around 30% during the Kharif (monsoon) season and more than 35% during the Rabi (winter) season in Bharad lands, over the past two years. The reasons, said farmers, range from erratic weather to tillers opting to switch to horticultural crops due to worker crunch and wild animal nuisance.
The situation is no different in other talukas. Statewide Kharif paddy yield has also declined sharply. In 2023-24, production was recorded at 70,699 tonnes, but in 2024-25, it dropped to 51,846 tonnes—marking a 26% fall. Although Rabi season yields had slightly improved in 2022-23 and 2023-24, farmers reported a drop of 30% to 40% in 2024-25 due to multiple challenges.
Kharif cultivation has reduced because of land conversions, with many farmers turning to cashew graft plantations. Labour costs are very high, and due to the scarcity of workers, farmers are increasingly moving away from paddy farming. Wild animals entering human habitats also damage the fields. Although transplanting paddy plants gives better yield, it is labour-intensive and expensive,” said Pradeep Malik, a former deputy director of the agriculture department, who belongs to the farming community. According to farmers, Kharif paddy cultivation, which is dependent on monsoon, has been severely impacted over the past two years due to erratic weather. Last year’s extended monsoon, which continued until December, led to widespread damage to the standing crop.
The Rabi crop, locally known as ‘Vaigan Sheti’, relies on irrigation from streams, lakes, and river bhandharas. Varieties such as Karjat, Jaya, and Jyoti are commonly used for both seasons.
“In Bicholim, Vaigan Sheti was practiced on about 550 hectares a decade ago. However, the area under cultivation has shrunk to nearly 250 hectares, with only a few villages such as Mayem, Lamgaon, Sal, and Mencure continuing the practice. Mulgao, Shirgao, Karapur, Surla, Kudne, and Naveli were involved in Rabi paddy farming. But due to mining rejection dumps, fields have been completely destroyed,” said a farmer.
Ramakant Malik, a farmer from Kudne, said, “Our Vaigan Sheti fields have been affected by mining. With rising labour and fertilizer costs, farming is no longer profitable. Unpredictable or heavy rainfall either burns or severely damages the crops.”
Ulhas Sinari and Dnyaneshwar Sinari from Amona, said, “Wild animals destroy paddy plants during the grain-bearing stage. Even fencing doesn’t help.”
“In Bharad lands, we plough the fields and sow paddy seeds, but if it doesn’t rain during the transplanting stage, the yield is badly affected,” said Ramakant Parab-Matonkar from Vathadev.
Sources from Goa Bagayatdar stated that paddy procurement has declined over the last four years due to shortages. In 2019-20, procurement was 597 tonnes, which fell to 400 tonnes—a 33% drop. In 2021-22 and 2022-23, the purchases stood at 416 and 296 tonnes respectively, marking another 30% decline.
Shabi Krishna Pednekar, also from Vathadev, said, “Even if signs of a good yield are visible due to favourable conditions, animals and birds still damage the crop.”
