Goa told to take up challenge of Agro performance
GOANEWS DESK, PANAJI | 21 June 2013 19:39 IST
The Planning Commission has asked Goa government to take up a challenge to improve the performance of agriculture and allied sector.
In a meeting held with Goa chief minister Manohar Parrikar, Planning Commission deputy chairman Montek Singh Ahluwalia pointed out Goa’s non-performance in the field of agriculture.
“The growth rate of agriculture is continuously declining, compared to the per-capita income in other sectors”, he observed.
While accepting the fact that Goa continues to be one of the better performing states in terms of various socio-economic indicators, he said the performance in the sector of agriculture and allied services is necessary.
He also said many such issues and challenges need to be addressed during the 12th Plan.
According to Ahluwalia, the declining interest in agriculture could be due to small land holdings, high cost of wages and non-availability of agricultural labour.
“There is a need to have a long term strategy for agriculture sector to achieve self-sufficiency in perishable and high value agriculture products”, Ahluwalia suggested.
In his speech, Parrikar said efforts are on to promote diversification of agriculture so as to make a more economically viable activity.
He said the new initiatives in this plan would include encouragement for local production of vegetables and fruits.
Goa State Government should boost the productions of milk, rice, vegetables, fruits, etc. Concentrate on food production. Forget MINING. Remember AGRICULTURE. MINING means playing with the health & life of Goans. Spreading mining related diseases and damaging our mother earth Goa. Destroying environment and polluting water & air.
The exit of mining in Collem area has made entry for gambling activities to earn some fast money and for some to lose money and bring curse to the families.
Last week the responsible authorities were moving and informing to stop gambling activities for one week as they where suspecting raids.
Hafta and curruption cannot be erridicated from these authorities as there is no source of income after the clousure of mines.
Gambling takes place in many are of COLLEM.