Goa Government to Revise Vegetable Procurement Rates for Local Farmers

Strategic Insights -

Goa's government has faced pressure from Curtorim MLA Aleixo Reginaldo Lourenco to increase vegetable production in the State. Lourenco's efforts led to a meeting with Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, who assured that the rates for procuring vegetables from local farmers would be revised. The current gap between locally grown and imported vegetables is significant, with 20,639 million tonnes being the current shortfall. The government aims to increase vegetable production through incentivizing young farmers and updating training programs.

Key Takeaways:

  • Curtorim MLA Aleixo Reginaldo Lourenco has urged the government to encourage youth to take up farming and increase vegetable production in the State.
  • The current gap between vegetables grown locally and those imported from other States is 20,639 million tonnes.
  • Chief Minister Pramod Sawant has assured that the State government will revise and increase the assured price given to farmers under the State-run Horticultural Corporation Limited.
  • Training courses under the Agri-Clinic scheme will commence in Sankhali, with graduates eligible to apply for special start-up loans to begin their ventures in agriculture.
  • Agriculture Minister Ravi Naik has announced that the government will offer incentives and rewards to farmers who bring more land under cultivation.
  • The government aims to revise vegetable procurement rates for local farmers, with the revised rates to be determined after consultations with farmers and studies of market rates.
  • The State government will update training programs for young farmers, providing them with the necessary skills to begin their agricultural ventures.

Statistics:

  • 20,639 million tonnes: The current gap between locally grown and imported vegetables in Goa.
  • Number of training courses to be commenced in Sankhali: Not specified in the original text.
  • Eligible number of graduates from the Agri-Clinic scheme: Not specified in the original text.
  • Land under cultivation expected to be incentivized by the State government: Not specified in the original text.

Sources:

  • Curtorim MLA Aleixo Reginaldo Lourenco's statements, as reported by Herald Goa on August 2, [https://www.heraldgoa.in/Next-Step-On-Vegetable-Production-Lourenco-43493](https://www.heraldgoa.in/Next-Step-On-Vegetable-Production-Lourenco-43493)
  • Chief Minister Pramod Sawant's statements, as reported by Herald Goa on August 2, [https://www.heraldgoa.in/Next-Step-On-Vegetable-Production-Lourenco-43493](https://www.heraldgoa.in/Next-Step-On-Vegetable-Production-Lourenco-43493)
  • Agriculture Minister Ravi Naik's statements, as reported by Herald Goa on August 2, [https://www.heraldgoa.in/Next-Step-On-Vegetable-Production-Lourenco-43493](https://www.heraldgoa.in/Next-Step-On-Vegetable-Production-Lourenco-43493)