Team Goemkarponn
Panaji: Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Friday called for stronger promotion of Goan cuisine and enhanced support for women-led self-help groups while inaugurating the G-Food Fest at Dona Paula under the Goa State Rural Livelihood Mission.
Addressing the gathering, Sawant urged caterers and hospitality stakeholders to prioritise traditional Goan dishes in their menus, promoting “G-Food” over cuisines from other states. He highlighted that food prepared by rural women is not only culturally significant but also healthy and organic.
Emphasising sustainable food practices, the Chief Minister encouraged citizens to adopt healthier diets, suggesting jackfruit-based vegan alternatives as substitutes for meat, linking them to both health and environmental benefits while supporting local producers.
Sawant also stressed the need to protect traditional livelihoods, particularly Goa’s fish-selling trade, stating it should remain with local communities. He assured government support to strengthen hygienic practices in the sector.
On women’s empowerment, he reiterated support for the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam Bill, which proposes 33 per cent reservation for women in the Lok Sabha. He called it a long-pending reform and urged all political parties to support its passage in Parliament.
The event featured participation from over 30 self-help groups and facilitated direct interaction with more than 135 stakeholders, including hoteliers, caterers, and industrial buyers, creating market opportunities for rural women entrepreneurs.
