PANAJI: Deputy Chief Minister Chandrakant 'Babu' Kavlekar inaugurated Krishi melava organized by the Zonal Agriculture Office, Canacona of Directorate of Agriculture under Western Ghat Development Programme at Khola, Quepem.
Speaking on the occasion, Kavlekar assured the farmers that the government should consider a higher minimum support price for cashew nuts in the next financial year. He said that the government was making every effort to provide a good price to every crop as it understands the difficulties, problems, and issues faced by farmers and added that it will be resolved by studying the ground reality.
Speaking further, Kavlekar said that the department of agriculture was creating awareness by undertaking soil, water, and vegetation analysis and providing expert advice. Agriculture can provide much higher income than any other profession if one works with dedication in that field, examples of which are plenty in the State, he said. Informing that a provision of Rs 410 crore has been made for setting up of an Organic University in the State said that it will take shape soon. Goa will be the second State after Gujarat to set up this type of university through which teaching, research of agriculture, marketing, branding, and certification of agriculture will be undertaken. The government has identified land at Quepem and Codar for this University, Kavlekar remarked.
Later, Khola Zilla Panchayat (ZP) member Shanu Velip thanked the department of agriculture for organizing such camps providing expert advice on how to take up crops that are need of the hour to motivate and boost agriculture. Agonda sarpanch Pramod Dessai, Sristhal sarpanch Ganesh Gaonkar, and Khola deputy sarpanch Pandhari Prabhudessai also spoke on the occasion. Project Director, Shriram Dhaimodkar; CDPO, Akanksha Gaonkar; panchayat members and others were present on the occasion. Earlier, students of Shree Nirakar Vidyalaya presented the welcome song and street play on Swacchta Abhiyan. Stalls of various agro companies, self-help groups, departments, and banks were put up at the Krishi melava.