MAPUSA
Mapusa MLA Joshua D’Souza on Friday said Goa has one of the best agriculture policies in the country and appealed to the youth to take up farming seriously, to cater to the demands of the locals and tourists visiting the State.
“The pandemic has taught us how much we are dependent on the neighbouring states for our veggies. Goa has one of the best agriculture policies in the country. Various government schemes are made available in the State. Our youth should pursue farming seriously to cater to Goans and the tourists,” D’Souza said.
The Mapusa MLA was addressing a large gathering of farmers after inaugurating the “Farmers Mela” organised by the Directorate of Agriculture at Zonal Agriculture Office, Mapusa in Bardez.
Director of Agriculture Nevil Alphonso, ZAO Sampathi Dhargalkar and other officials were also present.
Continuing, D’Souza said with the help of technology the farmers can take agriculture activity to the next level.
“With technology, we can grow all types of crops in the State. We always knew that strawberries come from Mahableshwar. But the same strawberries are now being grown in Sanguem,” he said.
He said the government was offering a host of schemes and subsidies for those involved in agricultural activity and urged the farmers to avail the benefits of these schemes.
The Mapusa MLA recounted how a 22-year-old youth from Cunchelim in Mapusa approached him with a wish to start farming.
“I was very happy to hear the youth’s intention to start farming activity. I am also a farmer and have my Krishi card registered at the Mapusa ZAO. My father and grandfather were also farmers,” he said.
Director of Agriculture Nevil Alphonso said the government was focusing to double the income of farmers by 2022.
“We are planning to form the Farmers Producers Organization (FPO) in all the talukas so that they can come together and process their agricultural produce and market it,” Alphonso said.
The farmers were imparted information on the importance of soil and its quality at the Farmers Mela.
Incidentally, although Deputy CM and Agriculture Minister Babu Kavlekar, who was the chief guest of the function, could not make it due to some personal emergency, most of the Bardez MLAs and Ports Minister Michael Lobo were conspicuous in their absence.
