the goan I network
MARGAO
Goa embarked on a new venture in the field of agriculture with the launching of the organic farming scheme to set up 500 clusters of organic farms across the state with the avowed objective of making the state organic.
Of the total 500 organic clusters allocated for Goa by the Centre, 50 organic clusters will come up in Fatorda, the Agriculture Minister’s constituency.
Launched at the hands of Deputy Chief Minister, Vijai Sardesdai, who also holds the Agriculture portfolio, in Fatorda constituency, the government announced additional sops for farmers going organic this year, with Sardesai taking upon himself the responsibility to bear any losses sustained by the farmers.
“Today, we have launched the organic farming scheme. This is not an easy task, but it is a big challenge before all of us to implement it. It had taken Sikkim seven years to become the country’s first organic state. With hard work and efforts, I am confident that Goa can be on the path of becoming an organic state within the next three years,” Sardesai assured the farmers at a programme held to distribute organic manure kits.
The Agriculture Minister sought to allay fears of the farmers from Fatorda about the dwindling farm produce after they switch over to organic farming.
“I want to publicly assure you that I will bear any loss that you may suffer due to the dwindling produce in the first year. I have already appointed one of my workers to act as a nodal point to take the organic farming to its logical conclusion,” he said.
Sardesai said that he is ready to set up marketing links for the farmers for better remuneration for their produce. “We can tie up with starred hotels to procure their vegetable produce from the organic farms of Fatorda,” he added.
Agriculture Director Madhav Khelkar said that the farmers will receive regular inputs and get trained by the department to take organic farming forward.
“Officials will conduct regular survey of their fields and provide inputs to them. The farmers will be given exposure and also training in organic farming from time to time,” he said. Khelkar further pointed out there will be teething problems during the implementation of the scheme, but assured the farmers that they will be able to see a change in three years.
We for Fatorda Convenor Usha Sardesai has volunteered to coordinate the efforts of the agriculture department and the farmers to ensure that organic farming gets the required boost on the ground.
