the goan I network
CANACONA
Stating that the Central government will pump in Rs 50 crore in three installments to the State, Deputy Chief Minister and Agriculture Minister Chandrakant (Babu) Kavlekar has said the State government will identify 500 farmers to take up organic farming.
Addressing a gathering on organic farming at Cotigao, Kavlekar said the Centre is keen to promote organic farming in Goa.
“The central government will grant Rs 50 crore in three installments over three years, with the first installment of Rs 16.5 crore, followed by Rs 17 crore and Rs 16.5 crore.”
“A total of 500 farmers will be identified to take up organic farming, of which 15 farmers will be identified from Cotigao and 5 farmers from Gaondongrim as beneficiaries from Canacona,” said Kavlekar.
He also informed that the State government has earmarked 500 clusters to make 10,000 hectares of land available for organic farming activity.
“Goa imports monthly Rs 7-8 crore worth of vegetables from Belgaum and distributes to around 1300 Horticulture Corporation outlets/shops spread across the State.”
Assured improvements to various government schemes of the agriculture department, Kavlekar added: “The government is willing to give good rates to farmers especially for organic produce and I am sure more people will take up agriculture as their occupation.”
Dy Speaker and Canacona MLA Isidore Fernandes also called on the farmers to
