Agriculture has been the main occupation of our ancestors. However, farming in Goa has slipped into passive mode with focus on more lucrative and less strenuous occupations like tourism, mining, construction besides service sector. The Covid-19 outbreak and the resultant lockdown has suddenly made Goa realise the need to be self-sufficient, create value chain and get back to the basics of sustainable farming.
Goan agriculture is unique. Being part of Western Ghats and close to forest cover, agriculture is by default mostly organic. The State’s geographical area is 3,702 square kilometers and about 35 per cent, that is, 3,70,200 Ha, is under agriculture. Some of the Goa’s main cash rich crops are cashew, coconut and spices. Alsane, Tambdi Baji, Bhendi, Mancurad Mango, Khola chillies and the like are unique to Goa and some have acquired Geographical Indication.
“Prime Minister Modi recently spelt out a vision for India to become Atma nirbhar (self reliant) and announced a stimulus package of Rs 20 lakh crore. The package is to focus on four ‘Ls’ (Land, labour, liquidity and laws besides localisation). These focus areas are wholly relevant to Goa too,” said Kamakshi S Pai, CGM, Nabard, Goa Regional Office.
She went on to explain that Goa depends on neighbouring states for meetings its requirements of vegetables, dairy products, meat and even fish. “Yes, fish too, despite over 100 kilometers of coastline. The demand for fish in Goa is so high that it needs to get it from other states. Of course, substantial fish catch of Goa goes to export market to fetch good foreign exchange. Local potential for food production should be tapped in full. From nutritional value point of view it is best to consume food grown locally where the travel time between farm and plate is minimum,” added Pai.
As far as land is concerned, land ownership in Goa and reforms in legal framework in which Goa has unique land ownership patterns, from independent holding to communidade ownership share, a Portuguese legacy, rendering most owners not being able to prove absolute ownership of the properties they own. Consequently, they cannot access institutional loans or most State benefits. Farm land is left fallow.
“The remedy is reforms in laws. One of the recommendations of the Expert Committee (Economic Revival Committee) set up by the State government to suggest measures for revival of State economy is to set up a committee of legal experts to recommend reforms to the prevailing State laws to ensure clarity in land titles and succession. Laws relating to contract farming and land leasing should be adopted in the State,” said Pai.
Further, many absentee landlords leave their lands fallow rather than leasing out to cultivators for the fear of not getting their land back. Pai believes that restoration of bunds on khazan lands to prevent saline water ingress should be taken up by State government to facilitate paddy cultivation by farmers.
“Government of India has suggested to State governments three model acts - Model Agricultural Land Leasing Act, 2016; Model Agricultural Produce and Livestock Marketing (Promotion and Facilitation) Act, 2017; and Model Agricultural Produce and Livestock Contract Farming and Services (Promotion and Facilitation) Act, 2018. The committee of legal experts can examine these model Acts also and suggest to the State government adoption of the model laws appropriately to facilitate leasing of land and contract farming,” emphasized Pai.
When we talk about liquidity and that through access to institutional finance, farmers or agropreneurs can access institutional loans in Goa through the bank branches. Institutional loans, coupled with benefits under state schemes, would give the much needed liquidity to farmers to tap full potential of agriculture.
Pai said, “Nabard has recently opened a special liquidity facility for cooperative banks and RRBs to support post harvest requirements of farmers for Rabi and Kharif crop loans through Kisan credit cards. Working capital needs for dairy and fisheries sector would also be financed by the banks under KCC. Interest subvention and prompt repayment incentive on crop loans due from March 1 has been extended up to May 31, 2020 which will give the farmers the benefit of availing crop loans at 4 per cent under Government of India scheme.”
Goan agriculture depends heavily on migrant labour, as local youth are interested more in hospitality and tourism sector and agriculture is perceived as not-so-remunerative vocation. “But to my surprise, when Nabard supported a programme for attracting and retaining youth in agriculture a few months ago, the response was so overwhelming that the registrations had to be closed within a couple of days of opening them. Goan youth are very much interested to take up agriculture, but proper agro skilling, orientation and handholding is required which may be taken care of by extension agencies,” revealed Pai.
Community farming with ‘shramdaan’ or labour sharing should be promoted in the State. Emerging technologies and mechanisation have reduced drudgery in agriculture. They can realise a good price for their produce through primary processing and value addition. Sectors allied to agriculture like dairy, poultry, piggery, goatery, bee-keeping and mushroom cultivation are some of the areas in which Goan youth can set up their own agro ventures.
Pai suggested that the State can also take lead in pioneering urban farming in the country on open terraces or balconies using grow bags for vegetables and micro-greens. Secondary and specialty agriculture like aquaponics, aeroponics, vertical farming, etc, can be encouraged as part of peri-urban, urban farming.
The State government has been advised by industry bodies that food processing is a sunrise sector which remains unexploited in Goa. “There are a lot of fruits like jackfruit, which are wasted and can be converted to ready to eat, ready to cook products which fetch a good price in both domestic and export market. This potential needs to be tapped and small processing units on a cluster basis can be set up by SHGs or community based organisations. Goan products like cashew nuts, cashew feni, jackfruit products can be marketed under a unique brand name,” added Pai.