Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant said on Tuesday that under the government’s plans, imports of vegetables from other states will be stopped and only local produce will be bought after production increases.
Speaking at the launch of the ‘Natural Farming’ programme, he said, “We are dependent on vegetables bought from Belagavi. Now we like the taste of foreign procurement more than our traditional produce.” this is. fact”
Around 1,300 vendors sell vegetables in the state under Goa State Horticulture Corporation Limited (GSHCL). GSHCL buys vegetables from other states and supplies to these suppliers.
“If we increase local vegetable production, the Horticulture Corporation will give a good standard (to farmers). In a few days, the Horticulture Corporation will stop importing vegetables from other regions and buy only locally grown vegetables,” Sawant said.
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“Natural farming is not new to us, we have been doing it for years. Be it cashew farming, jackfruit, or pineapple farming,” he said.
Sawant said Goa is dependent on other states for milk, fruits, vegetables, chicken and sheep. “What we want should be produced in Goa. At least half of the required quantity should be produced in Goa,” he urged the farmers.
“In Goa, about 4.5 lakh liters of milk is needed every day. But we have one million liters of production, which means we import 3.5 lakh liters of milk,” he said.
He said that if natural agricultural products are ensured, if Goa becomes a tourist state, farmers can get good prices.
Sawant, while addressing self-help groups in May, raised doubts over the “quality” of vegetables supplied to Goa by other states.
“A subsidy of 20 million rubles is being paid annually to farmers. To whom do we (subsidy)? Farmers from other regions and what kind of vegetables do they give us? If I say this (about quality), journalists will print it. So, I will not say it,” he said.
“If you grow vegetables, this subsidy can be yours,” he said.
Source: IANS
