SANGUEM
Deputy Chief Minister and Agriculture Minister Chandrakant Kavlekar has said the State government has proposed to the Centre to sanction Rs 467 crore to develop agriculture activities in the State under the Central government’s Atmanirbhar Bharat scheme.
Kavlekar was speaking to reporters after visiting the Government Farm at Kalay-Sanguem along with PWD Minister Deepak Pauskar, to take stock of the present situation at the farm.
“The State government has submitted a proposal to the central government to sanction Rs 467 crore to develop agricultural activities in the State under the Central government’s Atmanirbhar Bharat scheme.”
“A project report has been forwarded to the central government of plans by the State government to promote agriculture and to make Goa self-reliant in the agricultural sector. Once the Centre sanctions the proposal, the State government will develop all agricultural farms run by the State government,” said Kavlekar.
Kavlekar said under the State government’s project devised by the Government, the local youth will be given job opportunities to work at the various government farms and gain suitable employment.
The government farm at Kalay is spread over 6.2 lakh sq mtrs, of which around 1 lakh is barren land.
“If efforts are made to bring the available 5.20 lakh sq mtrs of land under cultivation, the State will be self sufficient in getting the desired fruit and non-fruit bearing saplings throughout the year,” the deputy chief minister said.
Kavlekar said he would work out modalities to improve agricultural activity at the government farm in Kalay, so that local youth can be provided job opportunities at the farm.
“At present, the government, associations and individuals involved in the agricultural sector procure their requirements from neighbouring states. But once the State government’s new plan is implemented, the State will have enough supply of the desired saplings,” said Kavlekar.
PWD Minister Deepak Pauskar thanked the locals of Kalay for their support to the BJP candidate Suvarna Tendulkar during the recent ZP elections.
Newly elected ZP member Suvarna Zambaulikar was also present at the site.
Earlier, Kalay Sarpanch Bablo Kharta requested the deputy chief minister to consider local youth for new opportunities at the Kalay farm.
