PANJIM: Expressing serious displeasure that youth are not enamoured by agriculture as yet, Agriculture Minister Vijai Sardesai proposes to introduce legislation to rejuvenate and boost community and contract farming which will appeal to the young generation.
Addressing the new batch of students from the BSc (agriculture) and allied courses on Friday, Sardesai said the government focus is to make Goa self-sustainable in agricultural produce and double farmers’ income by 2022.
“At a time when farmers are committing suicide across the country, Goa government is focusing on pampering the agriculture sector,” the Minister said.
Sardesai said it is unfortunate to see students of a particular area going for agriculture which is an indication that all of Goa has not accepted it. “Slowly we are trying to give the right impetus to agriculture by enacting new laws. I think agriculture will again become remunerative and appealing to Goan youth, especially from coastal areas and tourism centric areas,” he said.
The Minister said agriculture is seen as a profession for the old or rural centric and not very stylish. “So I am trying to get glamour and style into it,” he commented.
“Next month I am going to consult legal experts to bring in legislation to institutionalise community farming. We need to reintroduce the system, under which all barren land can be brought under cultivation. There is a need to give a push for community and contract farming, for which legislation needs to be brought in, as soon as possible,” he said.
The Minister proposes to introduce various new concepts like agro tourism, floriculture estate, organic farming, micro climate hubs, agro clouds, etc along with Brand Goa products.
