MARGAO: Members of NGO ‘Goyche Fuddle Pillge Khatir’ (GFPK) in Goa have called upon farmers and villagers to actively participate in shaping the State’s agricultural policy.
GFPK President Jack Mascarenhas, along with Govind Shirodkar and Amancio Fernandes, emphasised the significance of upcoming special gram sabhas scheduled for October 2. These meetings offer a unique opportunity for stakeholders to contribute to the draft agriculture policy, ultimately safeguarding and enhancing Goa’s agricultural heritage, said Mascarenhas. The Department of Agriculture in the government of Goa is currently working on this policy for the first time.
While the initial call for public suggestions closed on September 15 this year, the Minister for Agriculture has initiated a second round of feedback collection to ensure broader public participation, adhering to the constitutional bottom-up approach. The Minister has urged all Goa’s Panchayats to hold discussions, pass resolutions, and collect input on the agricultural policy from villagers and farmers.
GFPK encourages farmers and villagers to actively participate in these meetings, share their insights, discuss challenges, and collectively find solutions.
Mascarenhas stressed that food security is a joint responsibility of farmers and villagers, and it’s also the right of the people consuming locally grown produce. Additionally, he highlighted the importance of involving youth and students in future agricultural efforts.
The organisation’s objectives extend beyond policy input to include the protection of Goa’s natural resources, such as land, water bodies, plantations, and crops. GFPK aims to make villages self-reliant, aligning with the government’s vision. Goa’s agriculture sector faces numerous challenges, including land conversions, pollution, water management issues, and financial constraints. Traditional farming practices have been disrupted, and institutions like Communidade and Gaonkari have faced dysfunctionality in various areas.
