Curtorim MLA Aleixo Reginaldo Lourenco on Friday urged the government to implement measures to encourage youth to take up farming and to increase vegetable production in the State.
Lourenco, who had tabled a starred question in the Legislative Assembly regarding vegetable production in Goa, stated that “There was a gap of 20,639 million tonnes between vegetables grown locally and those imported from other States. The government to revise the rates at which vegetables are procured from local farmers.
Chief Minister Pramod Sawant assured him that the State government will soon revise and increase the assured price given to farmers under the State-run Horticultural Corporation Limited. He said the prices, which have not been revised for several years, will be updated at the earliest, following consultations with farmers and inputs from the agriculture, horticulture, and finance departments, along with a comparative study of market rates and prices offered in other States.
Sawant further stated that training courses under the Agri-Clinic scheme will soon commence in Sankhali. Those completing the training will be eligible to apply for special start-up loans to begin their ventures in agriculture.
Agriculture Minister Ravi Naik added that the government will offer incentives and rewards to farmers who bring more land under cultivation.