ICAR signs MoU to boost vegetable and fodder production in Goa

Team Herald

PANJIM: Round the year availability of traditional Goan products like ‘Mankurad’ mango and ready to eat livestock products like Goan sausage, shrimp/duck curry will be a reality soon, said Director of Indian Council For Agricultural Research (ICAR) on Monday.

He was addressing media persons about the various activities undertaken by ICAR.

Also on the occasion, ICAR signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Central Potato Research Institute, Shimla to increase vegetable and fodder production as part of the mission to make Goa ‘Swayampurna Goa’.

Kumar said that at present Goa is importing 320 tonnes of vegetable per day from neighbouring States.

“After the cultivation of vegetables and potatoes in the State the import will reduce drastically and will make Goa self-reliant in the Agri sector,” said Kumar.

He further announced that five varieties of potato have been recommended for cultivation in the State.

Further he said that in the State, 18,000 acres of Khazan land (Saline water) will be used to cultivate various varieties of rice. ICAR is also working on harvesting the crops even in the rainy season and productive utilisation of coastal saline soil.

ICAR has been testing the use of Goa Dhan variety of rice to replace the existing Jyoti variety of rice in the State as it has a bigger ability to withstand saline conditions, which can damage crops.

Kumar also added that by developing multi-enterprise models for the west and east coast to increase farmers’ income and diversification, they are trying to ensure regular income for the farmers’ besides nutritional security for the public.

He added that in order to increase farmers’ income, they have been under training for backyard poultry and ornamental agriculture.

ICAR has also been using other innovative methods to reach out to the farmers.

“7,000 farmers have been connected through WhatsApp groups by ICAR and getting real time information on weather. Thus farmers are getting additional income of Rs 9 crores in 3 seasons by adoption of the Agro advisory services,” said Kumar.

He also pointed out that after Goa Cashew Feni, Khola chilli and Myndoli Banana developed by ICAR received Geographical Indication (GI), they have sent the GI application for Goa pork sausage, which is under process.

ICAR has also had trials for cultured chonak fish. The Institute has also developed a new and improved crossbred variety of pig called Goya.