Captured by : Plans to make Goa an agriculture hub: Tawadkar
Emphasis to make Goa agriculture hub
Tawadkar says State will soon make up 30 per cent of orchid production of the country's needs
the goan ne
CANACONA
Agriculture Minister Ramesh Tawadkar said the government plans to make Goa an agriculture hub, with a slew of schemes, subsidies, implementation of advanced technology and overall first-hand physical assistance provided by the agriculture department.
Tawadkar was briefing a specifically convened news conference in the presence of director of Agriculture U B Pai Kakode on the eve of the two-day Krishi Mahosthav at Adarshgram, Amone-Poinguinim.
“We are just working to double the outcome from customary success we are witnessing in agriculture sector. Goa is the only State in the country, which gives 100 per cent subsidy for orchid farming,” said Tawadkar.
“Since 2012, Goa witnessed 5 per cent growth in agriculture, with the youth coming forward to take the lead. We are determined to take a bigger leaps by promoting agriculture on a larger scale. Goa will soon make up 30 per cent of orchid production of the country's needs,” he said.
Tawadkar further said the two-day Krishi Mahosthav will have 50 stalls of different types, with many companies joining in to display their machinery, products, fertilizers, poly houses, new technology (ICAR) and banks.
“The government is also emphasizing on value added and marketing aspects, giving a wider scope to common farmers. Government is planning a special farmers conference with 100 selective farmers from each taluka. Drip irrigation is promoted on wider scale, especially in production of local vegetables,” he added.
Pai Kakode said the government’s intention was to reduce the usage of chemical fertilizer. “Our emphasis in on usage of organic manure, presently Goa utilizes just about 8000 tonnes of chemical fertilizers, which is minuscule in size and just less the 50 per cent as compared to what other states in the country use.”
Pai Kakode said by door-to-door approach, government has also targeted all section of farmers, who previously never took any subsidy in their agri-activities.
Deputy director AHVS Dr Rajendra Prabhudessai said the two-day mahosthav will have live birds demonstration of 20 different varieties.
The melava, which is part of the three days Lukosthav-2016 at Adarsh Gram, Poinguinim, will have exhibits of all type of agri-machinery (innovative and customary), advanced technology, seedlings, plants, fertilizers, insecticides, bankers, etc.
