Panjim: The State government is considering revising the minimum support price for cashew nuts, which is currently notified at Rs 105 per kilogram.
Deputy Chief Minister and Minister for Agriculture Chandrakant Kavlekar said that the government is working on a proposal to revise the support price of various crops including cashew, coconut and Peas (Alsano).
“Farmers are the backbone of society and during these crunch times, we have realized it once again as they are working day and night to ensure that agriculture supply is available to the people. It is our duty to stand firmly behind the farmers and help them in whatever way we can,” said Kavlekar, while speaking to media persons after chairing a meeting to discuss the losses suffered by farmers during the lockdown.
He further stated that presently, the support rates for Cashew stands at Rs 105 per kg, while for coconut, it’s at Rs 10 per nut and ‘Alsano’ stands at Rs 70 per kg. “For last four to five years, the support price of coconut and Alsano has remained constant,” he said. He added that in order to provide better rates for farmers, the possibility of revision of the rates was discussed during the meeting.
In a bid to make Goa self sufficient in horticulture production, Kavlekar has directed the Agriculture department to prepare a detailed report on intercropping opportunities in the State; where a crop or two are cultivated in between harvesting and cropping of two major crops. He also cited that this will increase overall productivity of the farmer and state as a whole.
Kavlekar informed that during the lockdown Horticulture Corporation procured vegetables to the tune of average 350 tonnes every day from Belgaum.
Government has also decided to set up horticulture stalls at prime locations like bus-stops and market places, where Goan vendors and vegetables would be promoted.
Meanwhile, the agriculture department has decided to hold a special drive to enroll farmers, who were left out, to get register under PM Kisan Sanman Nidhi Yojana. Under this scheme annually Rs 6000 are given to farmers in three instalments of Rs 2000 each. The enrollment for PM Kisan Pension yojana will also be conducted.
