CM: Goa will soon be declared organic state

Ponda:

Goa will soon be declared as an organic state under a central government scheme, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant announced on Monday while urging the dairy farmers to opt for vermicompost production, as demand for vermicompost bio fertiliser will be huge once the state is declared an organic state.

The Chief Minister made the announcement while addressing a farmers’ meet programme in Ponda organised by Goa Dairy to felicitate its farmers under National Programme on Dairy Development (NPDD).

“The state government has already started work on organic farming in 500 clusters in the first phase under central government scheme. In the second phase, the entire state will be declared as an organic state in a few days’ time wherein use of chemical fertilisers and pesticides for farming will be banned completely in the state,” Sawant said.

“In such a situation, bio fertiliser like vermicompost and other linked production will be in huge demand. Considering this, dairy farmers in the state should opt for vermicompost production as part of integrated farming concept. It will fetch good income for the farmers and also help the state meet its demand for bio fertilisers, which will be required after declaring Goa as an organic state,” the Chief Minister said.

Speaking further, the Chief Minister said that despite there being a good market for vermicompost and green fodder in the state, hardly ten per cent of the farmers produce the same. “Most of the farmers are importing it from other states. State government gives around 50 per cent subsidy on vermicompost production and there are a lot of schemes for green fodder production in the state. Taking note of this, farmers should opt for integrated farming to make it more profitable and sustainable,” urged Sawant.