Aims to achieve self-sufficiency in next four-five years
Shahin Bepari Lambe
Panaji: The state imports nearly 90 per cent of its vegetables during the monsoon from June to September, but the aim is to achieve self-sufficiency in the next four to five years, said an official from Goa State Horticulture Corporation Ltd.
The official said the heavy dependence during the rainy season is due to cultivation constraints in low-lying areas and climatic limitations.
“It (the import) is 90 per cent only during the rainy season because cultivation is not possible in low-lying areas. Also, some vegetables cannot be grown in Goa because of soil and climatic conditions,” the official explained.
However, the situation improves during the peak season from January to May, when local production meets around 35 per cent of the state’s vegetable requirement, bringing imports down to about 65 per cent.
“At present, 65 per cent of vegetables are imported, while 35 per cent are grown within the state by Goan farmers. We are marching towards achieving self-sufficiency in the coming years,” the official said.
Goa will be self-sustainable in vegetables in the next four to five years, the official added.
Major imports include onions, potatoes and tomatoes, which are difficult to cultivate locally. These three account for nearly 30 per cent of total imports, while the remaining 70 per cent comprises other vegetables.
Goa currently has a surplus supply of okras, cluster beans, bottle gourds, cucumbers and bitter gourds, due to which the procurement of these vegetables from neighbouring states has been halted. Vegetables such as carrot and cabbage are also cultivated locally. Farmers in the state grow nearly nine varieties of vegetables, including cluster beans, bottle gourds, cucumbers, green chillies, okras, bitter gourds, brinjals and tendlis.
Around 1,500 farmers supply vegetables to the horticulture corporation through 15 procurement centres. With increased cultivation, two new procurement centres have been set up at Davorlim in Salcete and Khotigao in Canacona.
The official said the rise in production is due to the strong promotion of vegetable cultivation under the assured market scheme in the state.
