Panaji: Availability of water will never be a hurdle for the growth of agriculture in the state, as the government is ready to provide as much water as demanded by the farmers, said WRD Minister Subhash Shirodkar on Monday.
He said that Goan farmers face several challenges in continuing with agriculture; however, water is not one of the challenges since the Water Resources Department (WRD) supplies whatever the water requirement of the farmers is.
“By December 2026, the state will be able to cater to 100 per cent of the farmers’ water requirements,” said Shirodkar.
Speaking at the Agri Startup Conclave, Panaji, he urged the Goan youth to give up yearning for government jobs and stop running away from land.
“The base of India is in agriculture & allied activities. Agriculture has tremendous scope. Startups are in every field, and the Union government has now made it clear that startups must also be in agriculture,” said Shirodkar.
During the conclave, an MoU was signed between the Goa College of Agriculture, Old Goa, and the University of Agricultural Sciences, Dharwad.
“The MoU is a turning point for the farming community of Goa,” said the minister.
The MoU aims at co-operation in research, mentorship, incubation, and adoption of agri-technology. It aims to support the state’s farmers, students, and aspiring agripreneurs through capacity building, knowledge exchange, and access to advanced incubation models.
Vice Chancellor of the University of Agricultural Sciences, Dr PL Patil, said that the Krishik Agri Business Incubator established by the institution enables unit owners to become industrialists.
“Agri startups are a growing industry. Goa’s cropping pattern, soil, etc, are similar to Dharwad. and Goan agri startup founders can easily learn from the experience of Dharwad founders and come up with winning business ideas,” he said.
Earlier during the event, the speakers included director of agriculture Sandeep Phaldesai; CEO of Krishik-Agri Business Incubation Centre Dr SS Dolli; president of GCCI Pratima Dhond; and chairman of the GCCI agriculture committee Mahesh Patil.
The GCCI, which organised the conclave, set up an exhibition of products manufactured by agribusiness owners in the state as well as from Karnataka.
