PANAJI
Goa’s cashew and coconut could soon get a wider market abroad, with Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Friday assuring Central support to boost production, branding and exports of the State’s farm produce through India’s trade agreements.
Addressing the ‘Seva Ki Kahani-Seva Sankalp Abhiyan’ programme at Ponda, Chouhan said Goa’s agricultural products should be produced locally, branded by its youth and marketed across India and abroad. The Union Minister also said that a team of experts from the Central Ministry will visit the State to explore options for promotion of coconuts. “Goa will not import things from outside. Goa will produce here, farmers will produce here, youngsters will do the branding and Goa’s products will be taken not only to the people of Goa but to the whole of India and the entire world,” he said.
Chouhan said Goa was particularly known for its cashews and had considerable potential in coconut, spices, vegetables and other agricultural products. Referring to India’s trade agreements, he said these would open up opportunities for farmers to access overseas markets. “Goa’s cashew and coconut will go to Oman at zero per cent import duty and will also go to all countries of the European Union,” he said. Chouhan also announced that the Centre was working on a Coconut Promotion Scheme aimed at rejuvenating old plantations, improving productivity and expanding coconut cultivation. “I will come next time with all the agriculture department officials, and we will sit with you and work on all the measures required for promotion of coconut in Goa,” he said. He said the Centre would also work with Goa farmers to raise cashew productivity through new varieties and technology, with support from agricultural research institutions. Technology and financial assistance would be provided under the schemes, he added.
The minister also highlighted the role of women and youth in strengthening Goa’s agricultural economy and promoting local produce.
The programme showcased the State government’s ‘Goa Fresh’ brand, which seeks to bring locally grown agricultural products under a common identity with emphasis on branding and packaging. Chouhan said farmers could also benefit from various Central schemes, including the Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana, Krishonnati Yojana and Kisan Credit Card scheme. He said Rs 50 crore had been allocated under a scheme for the current year, of which Rs 23 crore had already been released. Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, Union Minister Shripad Naik and others were present at the programme. Sawant said that the State government has reached out to nearly 52,400 farmers, connecting them with basic facilities and farming schemes.
State eyes overseas veg exports via Mopa
Chief Minister Pramod Sawant said the Goa government has begun working towards exporting vegetables produced in the State to foreign countries through Mopa Airport, with vegetable production increasing by 140 per cent. Addressing the Aatmanirbhar Bharat–Swayampurna Goa event, Sawant said Goa, which once imported 100 per cent of its vegetables from Belagavi, is now exporting vegetables to the neighbouring city. Sawant said around three lakh marigold saplings had been distributed to farmers across Goa using Indo-Israel technology. As a result, flowers worth crores of rupees that were earlier imported are now being cultivated in the State.
