VALPOI
Chief Minister Pramod Sawant has said modernising agriculture, increasing farmers’ incomes and strengthening the rural economy were among the government’s key priorities for farmers.
He stressed the need to promote local vegetable cultivation, adopt modern farming technologies, develop food-processing industries and provide better marketing facilities to farmers.
He was speaking at the inauguration of the newly constructed Zonal Agriculture Office building in Valpoi, built at a cost of Rs 3.7 crore. The programme was attended by Poriem MLA and Goa Forest Development Corporation Chairperson Deviya Rane, Director of Agriculture Chandrahass Naik, Zilla Panchayat members Premnath Dalvi, Namdev Chari and Nilesh Parwar, along with several sarpanches and other dignitaries.
The chief minister said efforts had been made to increase the minimum support prices of cashew and paddy. Although Goa has a substantial demand for vegetables, the State continues to depend on supplies from other states.
He appealed to farmers to increase local vegetable production and adopt modern agricultural technologies to improve productivity and income.
The chief minister also encouraged crop diversification, including turmeric cultivation, and announced efforts to promote biodiversity projects at Bhironda and Pissurlem.
Sawant urged farmers to make use of schemes such as the Kisan Credit Card and emphasised the need to develop food-processing industries to add value to local produce.
The chief minister said efforts were underway to rehabilitate traditional Purann Sheti in Sattari and called for cooperation from all concerned.
He also referred to the implementation of the Forest Rights Act and urged eligible residents living on Alvara lands to benefit from the ‘Mhaje Ghar’ scheme. He said action would be taken against those involved in the sale of Alvara lands.
He further announced that efforts would be made to accelerate development works in Sattari, including the proposed construction of a new building for the Government Higher Secondary School in Valpoi.
Poriem MLA Deviya Rane said farmers were the backbone of the rural economy and that agricultural development was essential for improving livelihoods in Sattari.
Referring to approximately 8,000 Kisan Credit Card holders in the taluka, she urged farmers to make effective use of available financial assistance and government schemes.
Rane encouraged young people to explore agriculture as an avenue for entrepreneurship and highlighted the potential for processing locally available produce such as bananas, kokum, jackfruit, cashew and mangoes.
She also stressed the need for cold-storage facilities, improved marketing infrastructure and fair prices for agricultural produce. Raising concerns over crop damage caused by wild animals, she called for effective protective measures and appropriate compensation for affected farmers.
Director of Agriculture Chandrahass Naik said said the new office would improve access to agricultural guidance, government schemes and departmental services.
He added that the department was encouraging marigold and vegetable cultivation to boost local production.
Approximately three lakh vegetable seeds had been distributed to farmers, while pending payments to farmers were expected to be credited to their bank accounts within the next two months.
