PONDA: The Chief Minister, Mr Digambar Kamat, on Wednesday, said that the farmers should set a target, at least by March 31, 2011 to export certain commodities from the state, which remain in demand in the international markets, by exploiting the available agricultural resources and the government help in the state.
Mr Kamat, was speaking as the chief guest, after inaugurating the first ever workshop organized in the agricultural hub of the state — Ponda by the Goa Bagayatdar, Ponda in association with the Department for International Development (DFID), United Nation Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) and Centre for International Trade in Agriculture and Agro-based Industries.
The workshop was aimed at working out strategies and preparedness for trade and globalisation.
Mr Kamat, further said besides cashews, having the geographical identity (GI), Goa is also famous for malkurad variety of mangoes and the fruit growers in the state should focus more on it with the aim of exporting it.
However, he further said "farmers should not compromise on the quality of the product."
India was earlier known for its agricultural activity, with the states like Punjab, Haryana and Maharashtra contributing in a big way, he said
adding but, the scenario today has changed and these states are doing all possible efforts to attract the youth, as their agricultural activities have gone down by 50 per cent; the price factor has played an important role.
"Many farmers’ children shied away from the agriculture looking at their parents struggling to earn daily bread. Keeping all this in mind, the Goa government has laid emphasis on the agriculture and therefore budget was increased,’’ the Chief Minister pointed out urging the farmers to take maximum benefit from the workshop.
Addressing the gathering, the Co-operation Minister, Mr Ravi Naik said that the Goa is very rich in agriculture and hence all the agriculturalist, horticulturists should exploit the resources and the schemes of the government schemes.
Mr Bonapas Onguglo of UNCTAD, Geneva, and senior economic advisor, praised the agriculturists in Goa. He said that the international marketing would help the Goan farmers in a big way, and added that workshops give boost to the farmers.
"Agriculture is the back borne of the societies and hence niddle support cannot strengthen the sector. We require support from the government and I hope Goa government is doing pretty well in this regard," he said adding that a roadmap of activities would be drawn with wider opportunities to the farmers.
Mr Satish Tendulkar, the director of agriculture, speaking on the occasion, said that "Goans are facing a great challenge today as we have small land holdings."
Mr Tendulkar further said such workshops would throw more light on strategies and techniques and encourage farmers.
Mr Narendra Savoikar, the chairman of the Goa Bagayatdar, welcomed the gathering while Mr Gopal Joshi proposed the vote of thanks.
