PANAJI
Local vegetable production has spiked significantly and some -- cucumber, okra, cluster beans and cabbage -- grown by Goan farmers are even being exported to other States including Belagavi.
According to Goa Horticulture Corporation, its 'assured market scheme' is one factor that has encouraged local farmers to venture into vegetable farming in a big way.
The scheme assures farmers market facilities and assured prices for their produce, said GSHDC General Manager, Chandrahas Desai, adding that production of certain types of vegetables like cucumber, okra, konkan dudhi (bottle gourd), eggplant, green chillies and cabbage is marching towards self-sufficiency in the State.
The import of these vegetables from Belagavi has dropped over 30 per cent and the Corporation no longer is heavily dependent on importing these varieties, he said, adding that the Corporation purchases these vegetables from farmers in Goa and distributes it to its outlets across the State.
"Some part of the procurement is also routed to the open market and private traders and if stocks are excessive they are even exported to Belagavi," Desai said.
Over the last six years since the scheme was instituted in 2019-20, the number of farmers covered under it has grown by 167 from 1,081 to 1,248 in 2024-25.
Also, the quantum of vegetable produced by these farmers has increased by 658 metric tonnes, Desai said, adding that 1,509 metric tonnes of produce from 1,187 farmers was procured in 2023-24. In 2024-25, 1,624 metric tonnes of vegetables were procured from 1,248 farmers by the Corporation.
Desai also said that rates at which the Corporation buys the vegetables from the farmers also varies according to the market conditions. If the open market prices go up above the price set by the Corporation, the rates are increased proportionately.
