A one-day stakeholder meet ‘to develop a roadmap for agriculture and allied sectors to make Goa self-sufficient’ organised at ICAR-CCARI Goa on 2nd December 2020
A one-day stakeholder meet ‘to develop a roadmap for agriculture and allied sectors to make Goa self-sufficient’ organised at ICAR-CCARI Goa on 2nd December 2020
Hon’ble Chief Minister, Government of Goa Dr. Pramod Sawant conducted a series of meetings with ICAR-CCARI, Old Goa and officials of State Departments of Agriculture, Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Services and fisheries for improving production, productivity and income of agricultural and allied sectors. The objective of these meetings is to develop strategies and implement it to make Goa self-sufficient, create and popularize brand of GOA in national and global platform and attract youth in agriculture and secondary agricultural businesses.
A first meeting was convened at official residence of the Hon’ble Chief Minister, Government of Goa on 25th November, 2020 wherein he discussed with, Dr. A.K. Singh, Deputy Director General (Extension), ICAR, New Delhi, Dr. Lakhan Singh, Director, ICAR-ATARI Pune, Dr. Jagadish Rane, Principal Scientist, ICAR- National Institute of Abiotic Stress Management, Baramati, Maharashtra, Dr. P.C. Haldavanekar, Associate Dean, College of Horticulture, Mulde, Dr. BSKKV Dapoli, Dr. Relekar, Professor, College of Processing, Roha, Dr. BSKKV Dapoli, through video conferencing about strategies for agricultural development in the state of Goa. Director, ICAR-CCARI, Goa and Scientist experts from ICAR-CCARI, Goa Dr. Ambadas H., Principal Scientist (Horticulture), ICAR-Central Institute for Citrus Research Nagpur, Sr. Scientist & Head, KVK, North Goa were present and provided their suggestions for the same. Dr. Santosh Desai, Director, Directorate of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Service, Dr. Shamila Monteiro, Director, Directorate of Fisheries and officials of the Directorate of Agriculture, participated in the meeting. A second meeting was held at Paryatan Bhavan on 27th November, 2020 wherein Chief Secretary and Secretaries of Agriculture, Animal Husbandry and Industries participated along with Self Help Groups and officials from APMC of the State.
Based on the discussion in these meetings, a one-day stakeholder meeting was held at ICAR-CCARI on 2nd December 2020 ‘to develop a roadmap for agriculture and allied sectors for State of Goa’. Shri. Kuldeep Singh Gangar, IAS, Secretary (Agriculture), Shri Kunal, IAS, Secretary (Environment) Shri. J. Ashok Kumar, IAS, Secretary (Industries), Govt. of Goa, Dr. E.B. Chakurkar, Director, ICAR-CCARI, Mr. Nevil Alfonso, Director, Directorate of Agriculture, Dr. Santosh Desai, Director, Directorate of Animal Husbandry, Dr. Shamila Monteiro, Director, Directorate of Fisheries, Shri Rohan J. Kaskar, Dy. Director (Adm), and Shri Prashant Kamat, Functional Manager (DIC), Directorate of Industries, Shri Suraj Amre, District Rural Development Agency, Shri Sandeep Faldesai, Managing Director, Goa State Horticulture Corporation Ltd., Govt. of Goa, Shri. Chandrahas Desai. Programme Coordinator, KVK, South Goa and Dr. B.L. Kashinath, Sr. Scientist and Head, KVK North Goa and scientist experts from ICAR-CCARI participated in the meeting.
Hon’ble Chief Minister chaired the Valedictory Function of the one-day stakeholders meeting and gave his concluding remarks on the roadmap and strategies developed through deliberations for development of agriculture and allied sectors in the State of Goa to make the State self-sufficient. Deputy Chief Minister and Minister of Agriculture, Shri. Chandrakant (Babu) Kavlekar, also attended the function and expressed his views. A five-point strategy draft for the development of agriculture and allied sectors for the State was prepared. The strategies include improvement of the production and productivity of important crops (rice, cashew, coconut, mango, spices) by increasing seed replacement ratio, adoption of high yielding varieties, replacement of senile plantations, , crop diversification and integrated farming system approach (agriculture, livestock and fisheries), production improvement in dairy sector by community dairy farming and fodder production, improving small animal production through establishment of nucleus breeding farms, schemes on goatery, poultry and piggery, establishment of storage facilities for fisheries sector, promotion of aquaculture and pisciculture and integrated farming system, farm mechanization suitable for small and marginal farmers, creating value chain supply network by post-harvest management and value addition in paddy, coconut, cashew, jackfruit and other important crops. The ICAR-CCARI also suggested the State the probable funding opportunities for the strategies developed.
Hon’ble Chief Minister held a press conference after the event and addressed the press and media about the meeting.