PANAJI
Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Friday announced measures to boost Goa’s agriculture sector, including a Goa State Cashew Board, watershed projects, community farming, and digital farmer identities. The Agriculture Department has a budget of Rs 293 crore this year. The Cashew Board will be set up with Rs 2 crore, and Cashew Mother Blocks with improved varieties will be established at Codar and Kalai farms in partnership with the Directorate of Cashew and Cocoa Development, Kochi.
Under the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana, 10 watershed projects covering 84,476 hectares will be implemented over five years with an investment of Rs 236.53 crore.
A digital registry will record farmers’ demographics, land ownership, and crops. To reduce fallow land, “Contractual Community Farming” will provide financial support to participants. The “Goem Amrutkal Shetkari Dhoran 2025” aims to modernise agriculture with focus on prosperity, food security, and climate resilience, with Rs 20 crore allocated. The new “M-Krishi Portal” will streamline access to schemes and subsidies.
Support for Organic Manure and Vermicompost Units rises from Rs 2,600 to Rs 5,000 per cubic metre. Drip irrigation for vegetable cultivation will be reimbursed, with Rs 2.40 crore allocated. Minimum support prices for cashew will increase, and Rs 25 crore will aid Scheduled Tribe farmers.
Thirteen Khazan bund projects worth Rs 25 crore will be completed across Tiswadi, Ponda, Dicholi, Salcete, and Bardez, with new works in Tiswadi, Ponda, and Mormugao.
The APEDA-compliant packhouse at Mopa Airport will be completed this year, while Market Yard complexes at Sanquelim and Curchorem will begin. A Cold Storage and Ripening Chamber at Margao Market Yard under PM Dhan Dhanya Krishi Yojana will reduce post-harvest losses.
