Few days back, the US Government's Department of Agriculture (USDA) was in Goa to market American food products and ingredients to Goan consumers and also to hotels and restaurants in the state. Their idea was to invite chefs from Goa and make them use American ingredients to come out with new and interesting recipes.
There is no doubt that it's a great idea. And, there is every reason for the state government to emulate such strategies to market Goan agricultural products around the world. Granted that Goa has been exporting cashews, feni and seafood for decades, but, the time has come for joint efforts, wherein the state government and Goan business-people should come together to market their agricultural produce to the world.
Let's not forget that the Portuguese had come to Goa for trade, which included trade of spices. Not only Portuguese, even the British had exported spices and other agricultural products from several parts of India to the world.
There is a long culture of food exports from Goa to the world. In fact, the joke is that it is tough to find Goan cashews in Goa, as most of them are exported to other parts of the world. At the same time, Goan brands of cashew feni are already winning prizes in prestigious events in countries like the US.
All this shows that there is already enough awareness about Goan agricultural products in several countries of the world. What is needed is that the state government and local producers make joint efforts to aggressively market Goan products.
Moreover, the sheer variety of agricultural produce in Goa is immense. A short trip to Panaji Municipal Market can tell us there are several kinds of leafy vegetables popular in the state, which are apart from your regular spinach and fenugreek.
Just as USDA invited chefs from Goa to come out with recipes using American ingredients, the state government too can invite chefs to experiment with local leafy vegetables to come out with salad recipes, for instance.
Interestingly, USDA had joined hands with Forum of Indian Food Importers (FIFI) to market American food products and ingredients in Goa.
In other words, an American government department had collaborated with an Indian business organisation to network in Goa. For starters, the state government can take FIFI's help to speak to American importers of Indian food products to find opportunities to export Goan products.
The state government has placed emphasis on horticulture crops such as coconut, arecanut, mango, cashew spices and has also attempted to encourage floriculture. It will be great if similar emphasis can be placed on promoting local agriculture produce at an international stage.
There is no doubt that it's a great idea. And, there is every reason for the state government to emulate such strategies to market Goan agricultural products around the world. Granted that Goa has been exporting cashews, feni and seafood for decades, but, the time has come for joint efforts, wherein the state government and Goan business-people should come together to market their agricultural produce to the world.
Let's not forget that the Portuguese had come to Goa for trade, which included trade of spices. Not only Portuguese, even the British had exported spices and other agricultural products from several parts of India to the world.
There is a long culture of food exports from Goa to the world. In fact, the joke is that it is tough to find Goan cashews in Goa, as most of them are exported to other parts of the world. At the same time, Goan brands of cashew feni are already winning prizes in prestigious events in countries like the US.
All this shows that there is already enough awareness about Goan agricultural products in several countries of the world. What is needed is that the state government and local producers make joint efforts to aggressively market Goan products.
Moreover, the sheer variety of agricultural produce in Goa is immense. A short trip to Panaji Municipal Market can tell us there are several kinds of leafy vegetables popular in the state, which are apart from your regular spinach and fenugreek.
Just as USDA invited chefs from Goa to come out with recipes using American ingredients, the state government too can invite chefs to experiment with local leafy vegetables to come out with salad recipes, for instance.
Interestingly, USDA had joined hands with Forum of Indian Food Importers (FIFI) to market American food products and ingredients in Goa.
In other words, an American government department had collaborated with an Indian business organisation to network in Goa. For starters, the state government can take FIFI's help to speak to American importers of Indian food products to find opportunities to export Goan products.
The state government has placed emphasis on horticulture crops such as coconut, arecanut, mango, cashew spices and has also attempted to encourage floriculture. It will be great if similar emphasis can be placed on promoting local agriculture produce at an international stage.
