Navelim: Agriculture brought two political rivals together, may be for a short time. Agriculture Minister Vijai Sardesai showed real Goenkarponn when he dropped his political difference with Navelim MLA Luizinho Faleiro for the sake of agriculture. Both shared the stage at Navelim yesterday.
“There should be a common minimum program of Goans. This is not the kind of program which is developed between the political parties to form the government,” Sardesai said in his speech.
The minister began his speech by clarifying that the political differences between him and Faleiro have been kept at bay when it comes to the welfare of the farmers and development of the State.
“We have to take agriculture forward in the State. The tourism and agriculture is also linked with each other,” he said.
Sardesai said that the tourists come to Goa to see the greenery and it is our duty to keep it green. He said that the farm produce that is required for the tourism industry can be generated locally and supplied to the hotels.
He said that the community farming has to be promoted for which the State government has announced various new schemes. Sardesai said that the State agriculture department will also make spaces for the farmers to sell their produce, also they would be linked with Goa State Horticulture Corporation so that the products are sold at various outlets.
“Now we have to pen the story about new Goa where agriculture becomes a profitable venture and farmers go back to their fields. The priority should be to double the income of the farmers before 2022,” he said.
He also insisted that farmers should go back to traditional farming methods which practiced production of safe food.
