Goa will be first state to opt for Agri-Cloud Services: Vijai

the goan I networkrPONDA rrSpeaking to The Goan, the minister said he also wanted to discourage the scheme of purchasing machinery and equipment, by introducing a new concept of service providers. rDefending the need for agri-cloud services in the State, Sardessai said: “Though our farmers are not that internet and computer savvy, but a progressing state like Goa cannot stay away from computers. We have to offer an online plank to our farmers,” he said. r“I am proposing that these agri-cloud services be introduced in Goa. We will be the first state in India to opt for it. It will offer all types of services, ranging from buying machinery to information on subsidies. There will be all types of information ron agri-cloud services,” Sardesai said. r“To promote agriculture, we need to bring in the concept of agri-cloud services,” he added. rThe agri-cloud services will provide assistance to farmers in all areas, which includes helping them analyse crop diseases, getting required suggestions and finding appropriate fertilizers during cultivation at minimum cost. rSardesai said he also wanted to discourage the scheme of purchasing machinery and equipment by bringing a new concept of service providers. r“Many companies approach the government to sell its machineries. I have told them not to come like salesmen, but to facilitate these services,” he said. r“Rather than buying machines from companies, it is better if the work contract of transplanting, digging and other things are given to them. They can then service their own machinery and farmers will have no burden of buying and servicing machinery. The government can then pay companies directly after the work is completed in the fields,” Sardesai said. r“At the same time, community-based farming, where people come together and do farming collectively, will also be continued and schemes/subsidies to them will continue forever,” rhe added. rr The agri-cloud services will provide assistance to farmers in all areas, which includes helping them analyse crop diseases, getting required suggestions and finding appropriate fertilizers during cultivation at minimum costr Concept to discourage the scheme of purchasing machinery and equipment by bringing a new concept of service providers r Community-based farming, where people come together and do farming collectively, to be continued and with schemes/subsidies