the goan I network
MARGAO
Addressing a gathering on the launch of Farmers Forward Mission 2017 at pre-kharif Krishi Mela 2017 organised by the Directorate of Agriculture at Ravindra Bhavan, Margao, on Sunday, Sardesai spoke of the need to push agriculture aggressively.
“Agriculture is a big challenge in Goa, more important than Regional Plan,” remarked the Agriculture Minister.
Sardesai expressed the government’s willingness to help a farmer right from the stage of ploughing to harvesting and post-ploughing to market the agricultural produce.
“Goa’s produce is about pride and we have to leverage this pride to get the right price for Goan farmers. This has to be made a brand,” he told the audience.
He also said Goan ‘Tambdi Bhaji’ needs to be declared a State vegetable and the coconut tree as a State tree. Highlighting the need for establishing linkage between income and production, Sardesai went on to mention the need to support community farming as well.
Sardesai said contract farming has to be undertaken in the State and claimed the government is ready to undertake fencing, digging of wells and other such measures to achieve this goal.
He also expressed the government’s resolve to have a drive-in farmers market on the roadside. He elaborated on establishing centres of excellence with help from nations like Netherlands and Israel so that the agriculture produce of particular areas in Goa is tapped for the financial benefit of farmers.
According to Sardesai, establishing a floriculture park with aid from the Centre will help floriculture in the State as well as increase the tourism potential of such area where such a park is established.
Touching upon the need for utilising the potential of information technology for aiding agriculture, he lamented the fact that agriculture is not financially viable in the absence of such an IT push.
Sardesai also announced that Farmers Forward will be notified soon.
Others who spoke on this occasion included MMC chairperson Dr Babita Angle Prabhudesai, councillor Tito Cardoso and Director of Agriculture Ulhas Pai Kakode.
Deputy Director of Agriculture Nelson Figuereido and ZAO Margao Dattatrey Pandit were also present for the function.
FARMER FORWARD
Vijai expressed the government’s willingness to help a farmer right from the stage of ploughing to harvesting and post-ploughing to market the agricultural produce
Goan ‘Tambdi Bhaji’ needs to be declared a State vegetable and the coconut tree as a State tree
He stressed on the need to support community farming, also said that contract farming has to be undertaken and claimed the government is ready to undertake fencing, digging of wells and other such measures to achieve this goal
