MARGAO: Agriculture Minister Vijai Sardesai has said that his Department was thinking of procuring coconuts from Sri Lanka, since the coconuts prices in Goa keep shooting up while the supply is depleting.
The minister made this disclosure while interacting with the media after a function in Margao on Tuesday.
The minister informed that his department has ordered all the Zonal Agricultural Officers to assess the situation of coconut supply in each taluka and after they give their assessment, he would decide on the quantity to be procured from Sri Lanka.
“The Agriculture Department procures large quantities from the coconut farmers and puts them into the market through the horticulture outlets, but it is not enough to fulfill the needs of the people,” Vijai said.
“If there is a need to provide coconuts to Goans and at an affordable price, then, importing them from Sri Lanka is the only option left,” Vijai said adding, “By procuring large quantities of coconuts and by ditching the middlemen agencies, it is possible to supply coconuts to the people at an affordable price and can also control prices.”
