PANAJI
Urging Goans to hold on to ancestral land, Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar on Wednesday called for increased cultivation of horticulture crops by local farmers.
He said that most of the horticulture produce consumed in Goa is imported from Belgaum adding, “Locals are selling off their land which is not a good thing. One way to hold on to land is by carrying out economic activity on it.”
The Chief Minister said that horticulture produce gets very good price in the state and therefore agri-activity can be very beneficial for locals. The Chief Minister was speaking at the launch of Jai Kisan App by Vasco-based Zuari Global, a part of the Adventz group. The app launch marks Zuari’’s 50 years of existence in Goa.
Acknowledging Zuari’’s contribution towards increasing the horticulture potential of the state, the Chief Minister said that the company should teach farmers sustainable farming and must train them on maintaining soil health. He said that indiscriminate use of chemical fertilizers, even for rice, is bad for soil quality and also contaminates the water.
The Jai Kisan app is designed to be a one-stop solution on agri-information and cultivation, covering crop nutrition, protection, seeds, and diagnostic services. It includes soil testing and will give farmers fertilizer recommendations on the basis of crop and target yields. According to Zuari, the app will have a tangible impact on the way crop cultivation is done at each farmer level, by customising the advisory for him.
Suresh Krishnan, managing director, Zuari Global, said, “We expect 65-70 local farmers to use the app.” He pointed out that the target is to make 10,000 farmers use the app.
Speaking to media persons, Navneen Kapoor, president, agro business, Zuari Agro Chemicals said that it is important to treat farmers as entrepreneurs. “They have to not only employ themselves but also gainfully employ others.” The app will draw on Adventz group’’s repository of information and experience gained through selling fertilizer brands such as Jai Kisan, Mangala and Navratna, said Kapoor.
The launch function was held at Institute Menezes Braganza, Panaji. Post launch there was a cultural function by school children.