the goan I network
MAPUSA
Stating that the State agricultural marketing board has no powers to fix rate of cashew nuts or any notified commodities, the Goa State Agricultural Marketing Board Chairman, Prakash Velip on Wednesday said the board will approach the government and demand for an increase in support price of cashew nuts and paddy.
He also said there were plans to upgrade four market yards “ Mapusa, Sanquelim, Curchorem and the main yard in Margao.
“Our delegation will meet the government to place our demand to increase the support price of cashew nuts and paddy. We want the support price for cashew nuts to be hiked to Rs 150,” said Velip.
The chairman along with vice chairman, Premanand Mhambre and other directors were addressing a news conference in the office premises in Mapusa.
Continuing, Velip said prices offered by individual traders or societies depended on the market trend and varied from trader to trader.
He said the marketing board disbursed yard arrival incentive at the rate of Rs 0.50 paise per kg with maximum incentive of Rs 5,000.
The total amount of incentive disbursed for market year 2018-2019 was Rs 1.21 lakh while for 2019-2020 it was Rs 1.70 lakh.
A total of 157 farmers availed the incentive in 2018-2019 and 152 farmers availed the facility in 2019-2020.
“The revenue generated by marketing board by way of market fee, rent etc is utilized for providing and upgrading of infrastructure at various yards,” Velip said.
The agriculture marketing board, Vice Chairman, Premanand Mhambre informed that the board will take up development of four market yards on a priority basis.
“The detailed project report (DPR) for upgrading four market yards “ Mapusa, Sanquelim, Curchorem and Margao (main yard) is in pipeline. The work of preparing of DPR is allotted to NABCONS,” Mhambre said.
He said new shops and a hall were being constructed in Pernem while another building was being constructed for farmers in Canacona.
Velip said that Goan cashew kernel was the best but some dubious vendors sold low quality cashew kernels from some other places as Goan kernels. Government should look into such dubious activities,” he said.
