NT Reporter
Panaji
The Department of Rural Development, through
the Goa State Rural Livelihood Mission, will organise the G-Food Fest on April 17 to enhance market access and visibility for rural products.
The department stated that the festival will showcase local produce, self-help groups (SHGs) and farmers, while promoting market linkages, rural livelihoods and cultural
heritage.
It will also present traditional Goan cuisine to five-star hotels, caterers and fine dining establishments to enhance authentic tourist experiences.
A request for proposal (RFP) has been floated for the appointment of an agency to manage the event.
The initiative aims to create platforms for self-help groups and rural producers to directly access larger and premium markets, facilitate buyer–seller inter-
actions, and enable engagement with institutional buyers and hospitality stakeholders.
The festival will highlight traditional cuisines and agricultural value chains, showcasing the diversity of Goa’s rural livelih-
oods and farm-based products, while providing exposure to premium hospitality players.
The G-Food Fest will also promote the inclusion of authentic Goan delicacies in hotel and restaurant menus by encouraging chefs and restaurateurs to incorporate traditional recipes.
The department stated that the initiative will help preserve Goa’s cultural heritage while enabling bulk sales through self-help groups and promoting indigenous practices and local ingredients.
“At the same time, the G-Food Fest creates structured market linkages
for self-help groups to supply products in bulk,” it said.
