Panaji: Chief minister Pramod Sawant on Tuesday appealed the locals to venture into the horticulture productions as an economic activity.
Sawant said that if Goa wants to become self-reliant, only the locals can do it with the help of the state government’s various schemes.
Addressing a function in Panaji, the chief minister said that the state has been relying on neighbouring states of Maharashtra and Karnataka for supplies of vegetables, fruits and the meat.
“We procure fruits, flowers, milk, chicken, mutton, and also rice from other states. We produce paddy, but to process it, we take it to Bangaluru,” he said.
Sawant said that the vendors in Goa gets supply of vegetable from Maharashtra and Karnataka. The chief minister said that annual subsidy of Rs 20 crore is paid to these farmers.
“This amount of Rs 20 crore could be yours, if you get into the production of vegetables and fruits,” he said adding that the state government aims to have one lakh self reliant people in next five years.
