Live interaction with Hon’ble Union Minister of Agriculture  and Farmers welfare and Rural Development, GoI, New Delhi

   ICAR-CCARI, Goa, participated in the Swayampurna Goa program, which the Government of Goa organized on August 31, 2024. The Hon’ble Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan interacted with the agricultural community via a virtual platform. He urged that the farming community can enhance production by utilizing climate-resilient and bio-fortified crop varieties, converting 10,000 hectares of khazan land for cultivation, adopting short-duration millet, oilseeds, and pulses to increase cropping intensity in Goa, implementing water-saving irrigation methods such as drip and sprinkler irrigation, and promoting floriculture. The excessive use of fertilizers and pesticides not only poses health risks but also pollutes the environment. He stressed the importance of encouraging more farmers to embrace organic and natural farming practices to preserve our mother earth for future generations. Additionally, more farmers will be able to benefit from the Pradhan Mantri Pashal Bhima Yojana in Goa. Small-scale farmers should embrace community farming as it offers excellent benefits throughout the entire agricultural process, from production to marketing. He inspired the NARI Shakti of Goa, a mission for Garibi Mukt village in Goa, and increased the per capita income. More lakhpati didi entrepreneurs will emerge from Goa and export their products to developed nations.

    Hon’ble Dr. Pramod Sawant, Chief Minister of Goa, presided over the function and emphasized that the primary objective is to train young people and women for entrepreneurial development through skilling, reskilling, and upskilling. He endorsed the flagship programs of the state and central governments, such as Chief Minister Annapurna Yojana, implementation of the green economy, assured vegetable marketing, PM Vishwakarma scheme. He appreciated ICAR-CCARI, Goa, for documenting Padmashri Awardee Shri Sanjay Anat Patil and offering agriculturally viable technology to improve farm productivity in Goa, G.I Tagging, Khazan land management. Shri Arun Kumar Misra, IAS, Secretary (Agri), gave a brief presentation on Goa's agricultural scenario. Dr. Parveen Kumar, Director of ICAR-CCARI in Goa, participated along with institute officials and progressive farmers. Eighteen participants, including 13 males and 5 females, attended this program.