Staff Reporter
Panaji
The quantity of vegetables procured by Goa State Horticulture Corporation Limited (GSHCL) from Goan farmers has increased by nearly 75 per cent in the last six years, indicating that the state is moving towards becoming self-sufficient in vegetable production.
GSHCL managing director Chandrahas Desai said that GSHCL procures vegetables from Goan farmers under the scheme – promotion of vegetables with assured markets.
In the last six years, the total number of farmers benefitted under
the scheme has increased from 1,081 cultivators in 2019-20 to 1,273 in 2024-25; the total quantity of vegetables procured has increased from 965.60 metric tonnes in 2019-20 to 1662.39 metric tonnes in 2024-25.
“The biggest worry for any farmer is whether he will get the actual price for the vegetables he grows. But under this scheme, we provide an assured price for their vegetables. This has encouraged many Goans to take up
farming activities.”
The majority of the vegetables procured locally include cucumber, okra, cluster bean, bottle gourd, brinjal, green chillies and cabbage, among others.
“We procure these vegetables from Goan farmers through the 17 procurement centres that we have and they are sold through our outlets throughout the state,” he informed.
With Goan farmers growing these vegetables, their procurement from the neighbouring states has reduced by almost
30 per cent.
While GSHCL provides assured price to these vegetables, if in case the market price increases, it pay higher sums to the growers.
The scheme was launched in 2016 to promote commercial vegetable cultivation in the state as a viable self-employment activity and to reduce the dependence on other states for Goa’s vegetable requirements.
Additionally, the scheme also aimed at drawing youth to agriculture in view of the short gestation period for vegetable projects and
greater profitability.
