Goemkarponn desk
PANAJI: The Governor of Goa, Shri P. S. Sreedharan Pillai, in the presence of the Governor of Gujarat, Shri Acharya Devrath, launched the project of Natural Farming organized by the Directorate of Agriculture at Raj Bhavan Donapaula today.
Speaking on occasion, Governor said agriculture is the fundamental source of prosperity.
“We have an ancient tradition of natural farming and stress on the need to continue with it in a big way as it is conducive for the environment and better human living. The original breed of cow, Shwet Kapila, has been reared at Raj Bhavan Gaushala as a token of our ancient tradition,” he said.
In his address, the Governor of Gujarat, Acharya Devrath, highlighted the importance of natural farming. Natural farming saves the environment and soil and arrests water contamination. Natural food leads to a healthy life apart from keeping our land safe, he said and underscored the need for natural farming as it is the best alternative for chemical and organic farming. The use of chemical fertilizers will destroy fertility, its natural carbon, nitrogen level of the land, etc., he added.
Urging Goan farmers to undertake natural farming, he hoped Goa to become the first State in the country in natural farming.
Chief Minister called upon farmers to fulfil our basic requirements of vegetable fruit and milk, for which we depend on other states. The Government intends to ensure that central Government and State Government schemes reach needy people in the State to achieve the goal of self-reliance. He appealed to the people to cooperate with the Government by undertaking farming on a large scale to make Goa self-reliant.
Minister for Agriculture Shri Ravi Naik said agriculture, our age-old profession includes the production of paddy, cashew, coconut, vegetables etc.
The different fruits production, areca nut, etc. Our ancestors have professed agriculture in the past, and we have to preserve our farmlands for posterity. He exhorted the youth to acquire education but turn towards agriculture as well. Presently there is demand for agricultural products. It is every citizen’s responsibility to preserve our agricultural lands and let us work to make Goa self-reliant in agricultural production.
Minister for Animal Husbandry Nilkanth Halarnkar reiterated the Government’s endeavour to increase milk production in Goa; said Government has implemented various schemes to encourage dairy farming in the State. Presently milk production is insufficient because of more demand, he said and called upon the people to undertake dairy farming, availing the benefit of schemes and help to make our Goa self-reliant in milk production.
Some farmers who undertook innovative and outstanding work in the field of agriculture were honoured – Best organic farmer – Shekhar Parsekar, Pernem; Dashrath Madgaokar, Guirim, Bardez; Vrindha Kittur, Neura, Tiswadi; Narayan Salgaonkar, Ladfem, Bicholim; Vishwamber Gawas, Navelim, Sattari; Prashant Rane, Keri, Sattari; Hermant Samant, Conxem, Nirankal, Ponda; Smt. Tulshi Gaonkar, Kirlapal, Dabal, Dharbandora; Gauresh Prabhu Desai Rivona, Sanguem; Sachin Naik, Poinguinim, Cancona and Rui Costa, Chicalim, Mormugao.
M/s. Nanu Farms, Shri Pravas Naik Sulcorna, Quepem took the honours for best producer of certified organic product.
Highest vermi compost producers – Sudhir Dhauskar, Ibrampur, Pernem; Rohidas Ganesh Parab, Pirna, Bardez; Krishna Sinari, Amona, Sakhali; Nester Rangel, Golouli, Thane, Sattari; Mohan Tendulkar, Molcornem, Quepem; Urmila Parab, Mencurem, Bicholim; Gomantak Gausevak Mahasang Goshala, Shikeri, Mayem, Bicholim and Jai Shri Ram Gosanvardhan Goshala, Valpoi, Sattari were felicitated at the hands of the Chief Minister, Dr. Sawant
Minister for Social Welfare Subhash Faldesai; Chief Secretary Puneet Kumar Goel IAS; Director Agriculture, Shri Nevil Afonso were among others who attended the function.
Secretary Agriculture Arun Mishra IAS proposed the vote of thanks.
