Shekhavat suggests cooperative farming model for Goa

PONDA
Stating that the future of agriculture lies in the cooperative sector, Union Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Gajendra Singh Shekhavat on Friday also suggested that farmers should consider alternative sources of income to tackle unprecedented crisis in farming activities. 
“We have to take farmers to the cooperative farming model. I am ready to take up this project in Goa as I think only the cooperative sector is the future for farmers,” Shekhavat said.  
He was speaking after inaugurating the ‘Agri Bazar’ at Ponda Market Sub Yard by Goa State Agricultural Marketing Board (GSAMB).  
Union Ayush Minister Shripad Naik, Agriculture Minister Vijai Sardesai, South Goa MP Narendra Sawaikar, Rajya Sabha MP Vinay Tendulkar, Curti-Khandepar Sarpanch Rukma Khandeparkar and Marketing Board Secretary Harishchandra Gawade were present on the occasion. 
Advising farmers to double their income, Shekhavat said farmers should have alternative sources of income to tackle unprecedented crisis in farming activities. “We should not depend only on farming. We should also have alternative source of income so we can live without stress,” he said.  
He also said that allied sectors should be strengthened for the benefit of farmers. 
“We are not only self-sufficient in food, but we are good in producing all commodities. We are good in fruits, vegetables, pulses, cotton, milk products, sea food and poultry. We also have a good export ratio,” the union minister said.  
“But our farmers are in stress because of the rates. We should work towards reducing the input cost of farming. For this purpose, we have already started scheme of soil testing and to check quality of seeds.” 
GSAMB Chairman and former deputy speaker Ulhas Asnodkar said the ‘Agri Bazar’ would help farmers to promote their business. 
Rukma Khandeparkar assured that Curti-Khandepar panchayat would help the government to carry out such projects. 
In his address, Tendulkar said: “The BJP government has taken a very good decisions for farmers. Blackmarketing of urea has been clamped down and many schemes have been implemented for the benefit of farmers,” he said.