PANJIM: The Agriculture Minister Vijai Sardesai on Friday said the State government is keen on promoting agriculture tourism and creating farmers’ markets to support local agricultural produce.
“We need not depend only on beaches and hotels; we can also promote tourism through agriculture,” Sardesai told Herald at the Secretariat, Porvorim.
He said farmers can be allowed to have a shack in the middle of the field which could be a great ambience for the tourists. “We are working on this aspect and will chalk out a plan soon,” he said. Sardesai earlier mooted this idea at a function held at Fr Agnel Ashram at Pilar, Friday morning.
Further, the minister also said his government would support farmers’ markets which would help them sell their produce.
The Goa government has decided to brand the farm produce from the State as “Born in Goa” so that they are distinguished in the markets giving them an edge in marketing.
“There should be a brand for farm produce. It could be called as Born in Goa. Such kind of branding will help certify that the vegetable, fruit or flower is produced in Goa,” Sardesai said.
The minister who has been holding a series of talks with farmers said the government is in the process of formulating an agriculture policy which will give thrust to floriculture, marketing the brand and organic farming.
Sardesai said that during his interaction he came across various difficulties faced by the farmers due to inadequate storage facilities.
Without elaborating on details of the policy, Sardesai said, “We should give preferential treatment to vegetables from Goa. We are a tourism state and hence we can ask the five star hotels to purchase farm products produced in Goa.”
The minister said he will also order State Horticulture Corporation to sell local produce on priority through their outlets without depending on products brought from Belgavi.
