Velim MLA Cruz Silva has urged the Goa government to provide an offline option for farmers purchasing subsidised fertilisers, warning that making the Framework for Fertiliser Sale (FFS) mobile application mandatory could exclude many genuine cultivators from receiving the benefit.
Silva said the Agriculture Department’s objective of improving transparency and preventing misuse of subsidised fertilisers was valid, but argued that the rollout should not disadvantage farmers who are unable to use digital platforms.
“The government must understand that many of our farmers are senior citizens who neither own smartphones nor possess the digital literacy required to use mobile applications. Making an app the only gateway to access subsidised fertilisers will create unnecessary hardship for genuine cultivators.”
He said many farmers are already coping with unpredictable weather, rising cultivation costs and labour shortages, and should not face additional barriers during the agricultural season.
Silva also questioned whether access to subsidised fertilisers should depend on the ability to use a smartphone.
“Technology should simplify the lives of farmers, not become a barrier to accessing essential agricultural inputs. No farmer should be denied subsidised fertilisers simply because he or she does not own a smartphone or is unable to operate a mobile application.”
MLA seeks offline alternative for FFS app
The Velim MLA called on the Agriculture Department to continue manual registration and booking for subsidised fertilisers at authorised fertiliser outlets and Agriculture Department offices until the FFS app is fully accessible to all eligible farmers.
He also urged the government to conduct village-level awareness camps, deploy adequate staff at fertiliser outlets and ensure farmers receive fertilisers without delays or procedural difficulties.
“A farmer’s eligibility for subsidy should be determined by his cultivation and not by his ability to use technology. The government must adopt a farmer-friendly approach and ensure that digitisation is inclusive rather than compulsory.”
Silva said he would continue to raise the issue with the concerned authorities and seek corrective measures to ensure that no eligible farmer in Goa is deprived of subsidised fertilisers because of digital access or literacy challenges.
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