Scheme to encourage farmers to grow local vegetables

With support from the government, local farmers in selective places are given the opportunity to boost food security. They will be encouraged to cultivate vegetables for mass consumption.

This decision is the result of the recent discussion in the Assembly, to give local farmers the opportunity to supply Goans with their locally grown vegetables.

The Goa State Horticulture Corporation Ltd (GSHCL) has started the process of identifying farmers with the help of zonal agriculture officers. “We have also identified vegetables which have longer shelf life such as green chilies, bhendi (lady fingers), richguard (val), bringals, cucumbers and some others for the farmers to grow. This will also make marketing of these vegetables more feasible,” GSHCL managing director Mr Orlando Rodrigues told ‘The Navhind Times.’

However, some farmers are not very enthusiastic about growing tamri bhaji (red spinage), radish and some leafy products which dehydrate and wither by the end of the day. What are being imported from neighbouring states by GSHCL are carrot, cluster beans, french beans, bhendi, cabbage, cauliflower, green chillies, onion, potato and tomato. There have been attempts in the past to grow these vegetables, but the drawback is that Goan soil is not suited for growing these vegetables, said GSHCL sources.

For the procurement of local vegetables, GSHCL is setting up collection centers in Canacona, Valpoi, Quepem and Tiswadi talukas. The vegetables will be collected and then marketed through GHSCL’s 237 outlets. Mr Rodrigues said the farmers will be offered fairly good remunerative prices for their vegetables. In the form of a subsidy, they will also be provided with seeds, fertilisers and the necessary assistance.

The project is a joint effort between GHSCL and the Director of Agriculture which is expected to start before the Ganesh festival.

Source: http://www.navhindtimes.in/goa-news/scheme-encourage-farmers-grow-local-vegetables

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