Goemkarponn desk
CANACONA: Appealing to farmers to use fallow lands for farming and preferably opt for Organic farming in a larger scale, Social Welfare Minister Subhash Phaldessai stated at no time should Mining be allowed at the costs of agricultural land.
“Agriculture is permanent; Mining is not! However, we have a question are the rates of agri-products/farm produce increased over the years in proportionate to the costs of other goods/costs of living? We (government), will not allow Dalali between Farmers and buyers/Consumers’ Phaldessai was speaking at the foundation stone laying ceremony for a new building of Market Sub-yard by The Goa Agricultural Produce and Livestock Marketing Board GAPLMB) at Chaudi Canacona.
Speaking further, Mining should not be allowed by killing agricultural lands as only agriculture can give sustainability. Though Mining can provide temporary sustainability, it cannot last long and will die after a certain period of time.
Farmers should be encouraged not only to cultivate their fallow lands but also to take up organic farming, which has good and better marketing avenues. Phaldessai also said government do not need Dalals and Dalali between Farmers and consumers/buyers, and a Marketing board like GAPLMB are doing a fine job in giving the marketing prospects to the farmers produced in the State.
The farmers used to receive certain but very fewer amounts for their produce when the costs of other products were also lesser; but since the costs of those other products have marginally increased, do our farmers also get the increased costs for their produce in proportions to the other products costs?’, asked Phaldessai.
Earlier, lighting the traditional lamp and unveiling a stone plaque, Social Welfare Minister Subhash Phaldessai, in the presence of CMC Chairperson Ramakant Naikgaunkar, GAPLMB Chairman Prakash S Velip, Director of Agriculture Neville Alphonso, kaid the foundation stone for construction of a sub –Yard ground =2 Floor new Building at the side of present Market Yard at Chaudi Canacona.
In his welcome address GAPLMB vice Chairman Premanand Bankalkar informed the ground floor containing shops will be constructed at the cost of Rs.3.49 Cr in the first phase. The second phase will have offices, and there will be a Hall on the third floor.
GAPLMB chairman Prakash Velip stating GAPLMB has 380 offices, and deals in 27 different commodities with a turnover of 20 crore income. “We are also in contact with the government to start the pack-house concept (dealing in exports) on an experimental basis’. Velip also informed that They are not involved in fixing the prices of any commodities, and the support price announced by the government is not the market price.
Director of Agriculture Neville Alphonso informed government is contemplating launching E-Marketing App for the benefit of the farmers and agriculturists in the next 7-8 months, and also asserted that the government is not fixing the market rate of farm produce but only provides and extends support price to farmers.
CMC Chairperson Ramakant Naikgaunkar asked the government to disburse the Support Prices to the farmers on an immediate basis so that the farmers are in a position to put the amount to use to further their farming activities.
Also present was Canacona Dy. Collector Ramesh Gaonkar, /Dy. Director (Agriculture) Sandeep Phaldessai, ZP (South) Chairperson and GAPLMB Director Suvarna Tendulkar, ZP’ Sho9bhana Velip(Poinguinim), Shanu Velip(Khola), Ward Councillor HemantKumar Naikgaunkar, Khola Sarpanch Ajay Pagui, ATMA (South) Project Director Shivram Naikgaunkar, amongst others.
Shirish Pai compeered the functrion.
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