MARGAO
Underscoring PM Narendra Modi's concept of ‘Sankalp se Siddhi' (Determination to Attainment), Agriculture Minister Vijai Sardesai harped on doubling farmers' income together with increase in yield of farming produce.
Addressing a gathering organised by Krishi Vigyan kendra (South Goa) together with Directorate of Agriculture, Sardesai highlighted the need for agriculture to become "income-centric" from "production-centric".
For achieving the PM's aim of doubling farmers' income by the 2022, the Agriculture Minister floated various concepts such as contract and mechanised farming, promoting floriculture, focussing on the Brand Goa concept to promote Goan products and organic farming linked to tourism.
He called upon changing the outlook towards agriculture which included changing crop patterns if needed and undertaking agriculture reforms.
"In Goa, between 11-16% of the population is dependent on agriculture," Sardesai said adding that the government has devised various schemes for the benefit of agriculture and farmers in the state.
