EDITORIAL
Policy initiatives only won’t suffice; intentions must translate to action
Agricultural issues are in the news, and the Goa government’s official policy initiatives on this front are getting noticed. Acknowledging the issue is the first step; laying down a policy is a useful follow-up. But good intent alone may not stave off the pressures Goa is facing on the agri front, regardless of whether or not these priorities are making headlines. Slow-emerging challenges that take decades to unfold get less attention; agriculture is certainly one of these.
From wanting Goa’s population to “return to farming” to promoting “agri-tourism,” these are some of the policy highlights. The government’s initiative has also caught headlines for its promise to ban the use of farmland for commercial activities. This decision can go a long way in preserving paddy fields. Considering the pressure from land sharks, it must have been a tough decision to take. In the past, all parties have talked about a ban on such conversions, but no one had the courage or the will to do it. No doubt, the finer points of the policy will have to be checked to see if there’s some loophole to convert paddy fields to settlement.
Some technical publications noted plans for a Goa state coconut, cashew, and mango development board, which is to be modelled on similar central government institutions. Sugarcane procurement rates, farmer welfare, and a Goa Farmers’ Welfare Act (to guarantee livelihood security for farmers while ‘streamlining’ official procedures) have also been highlighted.
We have pledges for farmer support and welfare. This new policy also underlines the need to ensure fair labour conditions and empower youth to engage in agriculture. Farmer collectives, enhancing access to markets, credit, insurance, and diversifying incomes through agri-tourism have been mentioned. Organic and natural farming, a farmer’s welfare fund board, and sustainability and innovation have been underlined.
Other points include restoration and preservation, agro-tourism and diversification, farmer education and partnership, biodiversity and economic growth, land reform and legal framework, and inclusivity (women and youth empowerment).
The farmer will, however, need to see the translation of intention into action. These range from land conversions and urbanisation and fragmented landholdings to labour shortages. Not far behind are the high cost of inputs, water scarcity and erratic rainfall, and irrigation projects whose costs have escalated vastly. Then there are the issues of pest and crop diseases, poor market linkages, insufficient government support, soil degradation, encroachments, and land grabbing. Remote Goa knows the impact of the wild animal menace, while everywhere, there is a lack of mechanisation. This leads to an overall declining interest in farming. Goa clearly needs greater storage and processing facilities. Climate change is another threat.
In July 2023, the NITI Aayog came out with its own thoughts in a background paper called ‘From Green Revolution to Amrit Kaal: Lessons and the Way Forward for Indian Agriculture’. Despite growing more food, India has yet to conquer undernutrition and malnutrition. This is unacceptable. The study notes: “There is a need to create an enabling environment for this transition through appropriate policies and institutions, an enabling regulatory environment, and the development of frontier technologies, as well as public and private investments in agriculture and agribusiness.”
The Goa State Amritkal Agriculture Policy, 2025, promises to transform the agriculture sector. Many issues, many good intentions. Now, we need to see the emerging crop.
