1 lakh square metres leased to boost farming and jobs in Canacona
CANACONA
The Loliem-Polem Comunidade in Canacona has unanimously decided to lease 1 lakh square metres of land to Mallikarjun MultiFruits Processing Producer Company Limited (MMPPCL).
The land, located under Survey No. 358/1 in Loliem village, will be used by the company for various agricultural and farming-related activities.
Comunidade President Vishwajit Warik said the lease will allow the company to carry out storage, processing, packing and marketing of farm produce. The company plans to focus mainly on handling crops grown by farmers in Canacona taluka.
MMPPCL has proposed to set up multiple processing units on the site. These include units for jackfruit, coconut, turmeric, mango, cashew (caju), dairy farming, banana plantation and processing, as well as kokum (cocum) processing.
Confirming the lease agreement, Warik said the project is expected to benefit local farmers by creating more opportunities in agriculture and employment.
“This has been a long-pending demand from the farmers. It will boost their morale, help them process their produce locally, and get market value for their crops,” he added.
The decision was passed through a unanimous resolution during an extraordinary general body meeting of the Loliem-Polem Comunidade held at Keshav Devalaya, Loliem on Sunday morning. A strong police force was stationed outside the venue to ensure there were no disturbances or interference. Only eligible Comunidade members were allowed to attend the meeting.
Sources in the Comunidade said the company had first submitted its request in 2022. After following the usual process, the files reached the Loliem-Polem Comunidade for approval. The lease is for 20 years and is renewable. It will be charged at the prevailing market rate.
