MARGAO
Making a fervent plea to Goemkars to grow mango and coconut plantations in their backyard and preserve the rich bio-diversity for posterity, Agriculture Minister Ravi Naik on Friday said the government will soon come out with a subsidy scheme to support coconut and mango cultivation in the State.
He further announced that the government has increased the compensation for destruction of paddy and other crops due to natural calamities from Rs 25,000 to Rs 40,000 per hectare.
The Agriculture Minister along with Agriculture Director Nevil Alfonso visited the Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Margao on Friday to take stock of the activities undertaken by the KVK in the district.
During an interaction with the media, Ravi underlined the need to grow mango and coconut plantations in the open spaces and in the backyards of houses. “By growing more mango and coconut plantations, we will stop encroachments of the land and at the same time, they will be preserved for posterity,” he said.
In this respect, he said the government will come out with a scheme to provide subsidy for mango and coconut plantations. “The subsidy will cover digging of holes and to raise the plant,” he said.
He added: All the 40 MLAs will be provided coconut and mango saplings for distribution for the people once the monsoons hit the State.
While calling upon the people to go for cultivation of black rice, egg fruit, and other vegetables, Ravi said the youth can get gainful employment if they venture into production of these items.
On compensation for farmers, the Agriculture Director said compensation has been hiked from Rs 25,000 per hectare to Rs 40,000 per hectare, adding that a farmer can claim compensation up to Rs 1.60 lakh for four hectares of destroyed area.
The Agriculture Director said the Agriculture Department provides subsidised tractors and harvesters across the State. He further said the department imparts training for coconut tree climbing and plucking, adding that around 500 persons have been trained by the department so far.
