Team Goemkarponn
MARGAO: The Goa State Horticulture Corporation (GSHC) has called for greater participation from local farmers and increased vegetable production to meet the state’s rising consumption needs.
According to GSHC Managing Director Chandrahas Desai, 1,273 farmers supplied a total of 1,662 metric tonnes of vegetables to the corporation during the 2024–25 financial year.
Desai highlighted that Goa’s daily vegetable requirement stands at around 300 tonnes. Of this, GSHC outlets currently supply only 130 tonnes, with the remainder being sourced from private vendors, cooperative societies, and companies.
“To bridge this gap, we procure vegetables from outside Goa, including from Belagavi. However, during the monsoon season, yields in these regions often decline due to waterlogging in black soil, causing a spike in prices,” Desai explained.
He added that vegetable prices typically rise by 15–20% during the monsoon months.
In contrast, Goa’s porous soil offers better drainage, which supports cultivation even during the rainy season.
Despite this advantage, local production tends to dip slightly during monsoon as farmers shift focus to seasonal crops like ladyfingers and cucumbers.
Post-monsoon, the supply resumes with chillies, leafy greens, and various fruits.
Desai praised the contribution of the 1,273 local farmers who marketed their produce through GSHC and reaffirmed the corporation’s commitment—along with the Department of Agriculture—to supporting and strengthening local farming communities.
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