PANAJI
The Goa Bagayatdar Sahakari Kharedi Vikri Saunstha Maryadit Chairman Narendra Sawaikar has said efforts need to be made to turn the traditional Kulagar farming into a profit-making business.
Speaking at the inauguration of a state-level workshop organised at ICAR Goa on Thursday, Sawaikar said his family's traditional business was Kulagar which is a unique farming system.
"Kulagar farming should be preserved in Goa and it needs to be profitable for the farmers since it is the main source of income for the majority of farmers," said Sawaikar.
“If farmers get support for the Kulagar system, the business can even be profitable.”
Sawaikar suggested that ICAR-CCARI should do more research on the effect of climate change on Kulagar.
"There should be a separate system in the institute to address grievances and also seek suggestions,” he added.
Speaking at the function, Director of Agriculture Nevil Alphonso said the government has initiated the process to form a ‘Farmer Producer Organisations’ in the State.
"Ten FPOs – 5 in North Goa and 5 in South Goa – are ready to work within the next six months,” informed Alphonso.
“The government is now introducing honey production, production of medicinal plants, and fresh fish production in the Kulagar,” he said.
Dr Milind Bhirud, General Manager, National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) said subsidies and loan schemes given by NABARD would benefit the farmers.
