CANACONA: Goa has been selected for a Rs 1 crore Commendation Award from the Union Ministry of Agriculture, under the total foodgrains category 2014-15.
In his letter to Agriculture Minister Ramesh Tawadkar, Union Minister Of Agriculture Radha Mohan Singh stated: “I would like to inform you that Goa has been selected for a Commendation Award under total foodgrains category 2014-15.”
“I would like to congratulate you and all the officials of the agriculture department of your state for supporting the farmers in achieving this milestone.”
“The award consists of a citation and cash amount of Rs 1 crore. The award will be presented in a function to be held soon,” Singh stated in his letter.
Singh has requested Tawadkar to receive the award along with Goa's principal secretary and director of agriculture, at the award ceremony to be decided later.
When contacted, Tawadkar confirmed having received the letter from Singh on Wednesday.
“Full credit to the farmers of Goa and staff at the agriculture department for believing in me and acting accordingly,” a jubilant Tawadkar told The Goan.
“Being a farmer, I am fully aware about the plight of our farmers and I have been working in that direction. I am pleased that the central government took cognizance of these efforts and has awarded the state,” he added.
“There is, however, more to achieve in the farming sector. My officers and farmers all over Goa will now have added reason to believe and reap in the benefits of pursuing agriculture in the state,” Tawadkar added.
