Team Goemkarponn
PANAJI: The State President of the Bharatiya Janata Party, Goa Pradesh, Damu Naik, on Saturday welcomed the Union Budget, stating that it reflects the practical and people-oriented approach of the BJP-led Government and provides a new direction for Goa’s economy.
In a press note issued on February 1, Damu Naik said the Budget carries several positive provisions, particularly for promoting and supporting cashew and coconut—two crops closely linked with Goa’s identity, heritage and traditional livelihoods. He said Goa is widely associated with coconut and cashew, both of which have sustained generations of farmers and workers across the state.
Welcoming the Budget’s focus on these crops, Naik said the use of artificial intelligence and modern technology for land mapping, productivity improvement and scientific planning is a timely initiative. He added that this will help farmers achieve better yields, reduce losses, protect traditional crops and increase income.
Highlighting the challenges faced by cashew farmers in recent years due to rising costs, low productivity and competition from imported raw cashew, Naik said the Budget’s emphasis on high-value agriculture and a dedicated cashew programme will give a much-needed boost to cultivation, processing and value addition. He said the vision to make Indian cashew a premium global brand by 2030 will directly benefit Goan farmers, workers and small entrepreneurs, while reducing dependence on imports and reviving the traditional cashew sector in the state.
Speaking on coconut, Naik said it is an integral part of Goa’s culture, food habits, rituals and rural economy. He noted that many farmers are struggling due to ageing and unproductive coconut trees. The Coconut Promotion Scheme announced in the Budget, including replacement of old trees with high-yielding varieties, will help improve production, increase farmers’ income and strengthen the rural economy, he said.
Naik also highlighted major national initiatives announced in the Budget, including an increase in capital expenditure to ₹12.2 lakh crore to boost infrastructure and economic growth; dedicated rare earth corridors and focus on critical minerals; the launch of India Semiconductor Mission 2.0; and the ‘BioPharma Shakti’ programme with an outlay of ₹10,000 crore to position India as a global biopharma manufacturing hub.
Welcoming the emphasis on the Blue Revolution and Matsya Sampada Yojana, Naik said fishing is one of Goa’s oldest and most important traditional occupations. He said these initiatives will strengthen infrastructure, support the fishing community and increase income in coastal areas.
Calling tourism the backbone of Goa’s economy, Naik welcomed the Budget’s provisions for the sector, including hospitality colleges, training centres and the proposal to train 10,000 tourist guides, which he said will create employment opportunities for Goan youth and enhance the overall tourist experience.
He further welcomed the focus on SMEs and MSMEs through initiatives such as the ₹10,000 crore SME Growth Fund and the Self-Reliant India Fund, stating that these measures will support small businesses, entrepreneurs and local industries in Goa. He also praised the Budget’s emphasis on women’s empowerment through schemes like Lakhpati Didi, SHE Marts, Nari Shakti initiatives and the proposal for girls’ hostels in every district.
Naik said the Budget moves beyond limited income support towards real economic empowerment for women and will prove to be a turning point for Goa by protecting traditional sectors while creating new jobs and growth opportunities.
Expressing his gratitude to Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, Naik said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP National President Nitin Nabin, the Budget marks a new beginning for Goa, bringing renewed hope for farmers, youth and the people of the state.
