July 19, 2019
PORVORIM: Taking a leaf out of the Narendra Modi-led central government, the state intends to promote organic farming with special focus on paddy, cashew and coconut crops, chief minister Pramod Sawant said in his budget speech on Thursday.
Pramod Sawant - images by TOI
He
also emphasised the need to conserve Goa’s unique khazan land system, which he termed a “marvel of traditional wisdom”.
Agriculture should become the backbone of the state, Sawant said, and reiterated that the government was willing to provide
all the necessary incentives.
“Cashew has been our premier cash crop and I seek to emphasise the need to provide more support to enhance production.
My government will engage with ICAR-Goa to help cashew cultivators improve the quantity and quality of their produce,” the
chief minister said.
He also informed legislators that 2,934 farmers have been identified as beneficiaries under the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman
Nidhi scheme, and that the first two instalments of Rs 2,000 each have already been released to them.
The scheme provides
up to Rs 6,000 per year as minimum income support to farmers who have less than two hectares of land.
While speaking about the importance of farming, Sawant said there was an urgent need to conserve Goa’s khazan land system.
“A few demo units will be developed as ideal khazan systems in Bicholim, Bardez, Tiswadi and Salcete to revive traditional
ones andcreate a successful model,” he said.
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