A programme highlighting initiatives for self-reliance, agriculture and women’s empowerment took place in Ponda, Goa, under the State Government’s Seva Sankalp Abhiyan.
Union Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Union Minister of State for Power Shripad Naik and Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant attended the programme.
Union Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan said around 6000 Lakhpati Didis in Goa will be supported to expand their economic activities, with the aim of helping them achieve higher incomes.
Mr Chouhan also announced that a third Krishi Vigyan Kendra will be established in Goa in the Kushavati district. He said the government will extend necessary support to farmers and women associated with Self-Help Groups to strengthen their livelihoods.
The Minister said the government is making extra efforts, like new plantations, to increase coconut production, which is getting affected due to ageing trees.
Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant said Goa, known primarily for tourism and mining, is now developing a new identity as a state producing a variety of quality agricultural products.
He said around 52 thousand farmers in Goa are engaged in cultivation of different crops. The Chief Minister said around 80 crore rupees were distributed at the programme for various initiatives.
Dr Sawant said Swayampurna Goa is taking shape through the combined strength of women, farmers and the people of the state. The Goa Fresh brand was also launched at the programme.
The brand aims to promote agricultural products produced by farmers in Goa. A policy for Farmer Producer Organisations was released, and agricultural subsidies were distributed to beneficiaries.
A Memorandum of Understanding was signed between the Agriculture Department and the National Institute of Hydrology.
The Startup Village Entrepreneurship Programme was launched to promote rural entrepreneurship and women’s empowerment. Lakhpati Didis were felicitated, while financial assistance was provided to Self-Help Groups and approval orders for pink electric rickshaws were distributed.
Petrol-powered water pumps were distributed to farmers for irrigation, while medicines and mineral mixture kits were provided to dairy farmers. Swayampurna Mitras and Gram Panchayats were also felicitated at the programme.