PANJIM, Feb 15
Immense support by some farmers from Belgaum helped Goa State Horticulture Corporation (GSHC) in saving its ambitious subsidized vegetable scheme from derailing.
After some of the Belgaum based traders united to stop supply of vegetables to Goa, the farmers came to the rescue of the state-run body. GSHC chairman Sankalp Amonkar was left in the lurch after protest by the traders. However, thanks to the farmers.
Amonkar told Herald the Belgaum farmers volunteered to supply vegetables to the Corporation without depending on the agents. These farmers have supported us unconditionally and in return we have reciprocated by paying them handsome money for their products, he stated.
The strike by traders came as a blessing in disguise as the Corporation can now do away with the middlemen and commission agents who escalated the prices of veggies further.
Amonkar said that the strike had affected the supply only for a day. “After that we sourced products from other places. And these Belgaum farmers are like God-sent,” he mentioned.
The Corporation’s subsidized vegetable scheme seemed to be in danger after the recent protests by suppliers in Belgaum. A brief violence, commotion and failed talks left it out of ideas. But suddenly, the group of farmers came forward to help the Corporation to keep its scheme going.
After the protests, the Corporation officials procured vegetables from Kolhapur, Nashik, Chikmagalur, Ichalkaranji and Sirsai and restored the supply to its 350-odd carts and 246 mobile vans.
Amonkar said the farmers from Belgaum had bypassed their associations.
“Earlier they sourced vegetables to private markets but now they are giving it to its municipal market from where vegetables are coming to us,” he stated.
The Goa government to sort out the issue amicably had offered the Belgaum wholesalers association, a chance to partner with the Corporation. But the association did not responded back.
Amonkar said the suppliers were agitating in vain. “When we offered them the chance to supply us vegetables, they did not turn up to sign the agreement. This means they don’t have the capacity to cater to our vegetable demand,” he mentioned.
