Thursday 28 Mar 2024

Goa to be next organic agri State: Kavlekar

THE GOAN NETWORK | OCTOBER 21, 2021, 11:49 PM IST
Goa to be next organic agri State: Kavlekar

VASCO

Deputy Chief Minister Chandrakant (Babu) Kavlekar on Thursday said Goa is poised to be the next organic agriculture State after 500 new organic clusters have been principally sanctioned by the central Government.

Kavlekar was speaking to reporters on his arrival at Goa Airport, after attending a high-level meeting with Union Minister of State Shobha Karandlaje and Secretary Agriculture Sanjay Kumar Agarwal and union agriculture department officials at the Krishi Bhavan in New Delhi.

The Goa delegation, which was led by Kavlekar, comprised secretary (revenue) Sanjay Kumar, Director of Agriculture Nevil Alphonso, Assistant Director Agriculture Dattaprasad Desai, Chandrakant Shinde, Sachin Kunkolienkar and Gautam Fatarpekar.

"We had discussions on the proposed State Integrated Organic Agriculture University and on other subjects regarding funds. We get funds from the centre as part of a 60:40 ratio and we have now requested to allot us funds on a 90:10 ratio from the centre because we are in a pandemic and we do not want to burden the State further. They have almost agreed to our proposal," Kavlekar told reporters.

“Following discussions, the benefit of Pradhan Mantri Kisan Sanman Nidhi will now be extended to 10,000 more farmers. The technical issues which restricted the benefits being further extended will now be sorted out by the union agriculture ministry. Currently, around 8,300 farmers are receiving the benefit of Rs 6,000 annually in three instalments of Rs 2,000 each under PM Kisan Sanman Nidhi. An additional 10,000 will take this tally to 18,300 farmers who will receive the benefits,” said Kavlekar.

To cover all eligible farmers in the State, Kavlekar said he led a joint initiative along with India Posts, where the postman went door-to-door with the PM Kisan Sanman Nidhi form.

“Also, the department had organised two special camps in all the 11 ZAOs, to enrol farmers for the scheme,” said Kavlekar.

He said a proposal to set up new 8 Mandis in Goa, with 4 in south Goa and 4 in north Goa, has also been considered.

“These Mandis will be connected to national online market under eNAM initiative of the Government,” said Kavlekar.

“Under the National Food Security Mission, 50% subsidy on paddy and pulses seeds was also discussed, so that subsidy of 50% on seeds purchase of paddy and pulses can be extended to the farmers of Goa. The GOI has considered the request positively and in the next 10 days, they will revert to us.”

He said the State has sought funds from the Centre to repair Khazan bunds and will submit projects under the Agriculture infrastructure scheme, to boost Agriculture infrastructure in the State.


‘Centre for high-value horticulture, floriculture’

VASCO:

Deputy Chief Minister Chandrakant (Babu) Kavlekar on Thursday said an agreement is expected to be signed between State and central governments in the next 15 days to set up a Centre of Excellence in Goa.

“The Centre of Excellence promotes high-value horticulture and floriculture with modern technologies. The central government has agreements with Israel and Netherlands, under which high-tech agriculture will be promoted in the State,” said Minister Kvlekar.

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