Team Herald
MARGAO: Targeting to make Goa the second organic State in India after Sikkim, Deputy Chief Minister Vijai Sardesai said that Fatorda would be the first constituency to go organic and that he would use his position to work out a marketing plan that would give extra price for organic products.
Speaking at a programme to launch the Centre’s Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY), he said “There was an urgent need to revive the practically dead soil of Goa where due to use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides, the living organism have been killed.”
“One has to make the soil organic and only then the produce of the organic soil will be organic,” he said adding that it would take three years to turn the soil organic and only after three years, the farmer will be issued an organic farming certificate.
“The department will support the venture for organic farming by giving frequent inputs and also help the farmers get the necessary certificate without spending any money,” said Vijai while pointing out that world over organic farm products are sold for a price higher than the regular produce.
Agriculture Director Madhav Kelkar appreciated Vijai’s efforts in getting the centre to sanction 500 clusters for Goa as against the initial allocation of 50 clusters and said each cluster will comprise of 50 acres or 20 hectares and have 20 or more farmers.
“Fatorda Constituency will have 50 clusters while Sanguem will have 55 clusters and other clusters will be allotted as per the demand and efforts of the concerned MLA,” he said while pointing out that in Sikkim it took the authorities seven years to convince the people to turn organic.
