PANAJI
After banning sale of agricultural land, the Goa government has now proposed to ban the conversion of all fields designated as ‘rice’, ‘morad’, ‘kher’, and ‘Khazan’.
The State on Tuesday launched its ambitious ‘State Amritkal Agriculture Policy 2025’, which speaks about revolutionising the sector through modern techniques and climate-resilient farming practices.
A week after being approved by the cabinet, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant along with Agriculture Minister Ravi Naik launched the policy with a ten-year vision that has been drafted keeping in mind the national goal and global commitments.
Addressing media, Sawant said the policy proposes to ban or prevent conversion of all fields designated as rice, morad, kher, and khazans in the Form I & XIV. “Even if the Town and Country Planning Department approves conversion of agricultural fields, the NOC from the agriculture director would be mandatory,” he said adding no NOC will be granted for any such conversions.
Sawant said that looking at the declining manpower in agriculture, the policy vision is dedicated to creating an ecosystem that supports farmer welfare, ensures fair labour conditions, and empowers the youth to engage in agriculture. He said that in order to minimize the cost of production and to increase the quantity and quality of the agriculture produce, organic farming and natural farming will be encouraged.
The policy has laid focus on protecting Goa's valuable agricultural heritage while combining it with modern farming techniques to boost productivity and sustainability. Sawant said that climate-resilient farming practices would be introduced with the help of ICAR to protect agriculture in Goa from the effects of climate change, ensuring its long-term sustainability.
Sawant also said the promotion of agro-tourism by allowing farmers with at least 4,000 square meters of land to be part of it, along with putting in place strict zoning rules to designate specific areas for agro-tourism.
The policy proposes steps for legislative reforms aimed at creating a farmer-centric, sustainable and simplified legal framework.
“This comprehensive policy framework thus reflects government's commitment to transforming its agricultural sector into a modern productive, sustainable, resilient, and inclusive pillar of its economy by including innovation, technology, and research in transforming agriculture, poised to meet challenges of 21st century while preserving traditional knowledge and practices that have sustained Goa's agriculture for centuries,” he said.
Sawant further said the policy aims to revolutionize the agriculture sector by harnessing the state's unique strengths, addressing its specific challenges, and capitalizing on opportunities for growth and development, with a prime focus on farmer’s prosperity.
The policy also proposes to enact the New Goa Farmers Welfare Act to provide guaranteed livelihood security and incorporate sustainable practices and also the government procedures for farmers would be simplified.
Agriculture Department through the Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB) will take penal action against those releasing sewage in agriculture land or water bodies, he said.
The CM said that a monthly progress report on the implementation of the policy will be sought from the director to ensure that the policy is implemented in toto within ten years.
“Policy directs to form a committee to assess and ascertain the need for introduction of new rules and laws, for any amendment in ongoing schemes, introduction of new schemes, work on central assistance (if any) and finally work on effective implementation,” Sawant stated.
