PANAJI: Amid rampant land conversion, the Goa government today launched its much-awaited 'Goa State Amritkal Agriculture Policy 2025' that proposes to ban agricultural land including khazan, kher, and morod fields.
The policy launched by the Chief Minister Pramod Sawant and Agriculture Minister Ravi Naik also speaks about protecting Goa' valuable Agricultural heritage apart from introducing climate-resilient farming practices to protect Agriculture from the effect of climate change.
Highlighting the key features of the policy, with ten long years vision, Sawant said that the policy has laid focus on promoting organic farming, hydroponics, aeroponics, vertical farming, and urban agriculture.
It also encourages the cultivation of cash crops such as mango, cashew, and exotic fruits like avocado, rambutan, pomelo, and grapefruit, with subsidies to support farmers in adopting these high-value crops.
Sawant said that the policy outlines important measures for farmer welfare, including the establishment of a Farmer Welfare Fund Board and a distressed farmers welfare fund. It also seeks to raise the Kisan Credit Card limit for Goa’s 52,000 farmers, ensuring better financial support. Additionally, it proposes enacting the New Goa Farmers Welfare Act to provide guaranteed livelihood security and sustainable farming practices.
A strong focus has been placed on sustainability, stressing on renewable energy in agriculture, agro-tourism, and water conservation.
The Chief Minister said that the government plans to restore degraded agricultural landscapes and implement strict regulations on irrigation wells used for commercial purposes. Furthermore, traditional water conservation systems will be revived to improve irrigation efficiency.
Innovation and research are key components of the policy, with collaborations planned between national and international institutions to introduce cutting-edge agricultural practices in Goa. The policy also includes measures to introduce agriculture into school curriculums, establish farmer information centres, and launch skill development programs for farm workers.
To encourage agro-tourism, the policy permits farmers with at least 4,000 square meters of land to participate in the initiative, with designated zones ensuring organized growth in this sector. Demonstration farms and farmer field schools will be established across the state.
Recognizing the role of women and youth in agriculture, the policy introduces targeted incentives and programs to boost their participation in farming. Economic empowerment initiatives include strengthening supply chains, reducing post-harvest losses, and introducing innovative financing models such as micro-financing and crowdfunding for agricultural entrepreneurs.
