Digital Goa, July 7 – Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Tuesday said government officers are paid to serve the people and asked Agriculture Department officials to work alongside farmers instead of remaining in their offices. Speaking at the ‘Krushi Pe Charcha’ seminar at Sankhali, Sawant warned of disciplinary action against department staff who fail to perform their duties. Responding to a complaint that a department driver was unwilling to enter fields, he said he would suspend the driver if found guilty. He also alleged that some government drivers deliberately damage tractors to avoid work. Sawant claimed that the state’s initiative to promote marigold cultivation has reduced flower imports by 40 per cent.
Agriculture exports of Goa pegged at above ₹5 crore
Highlighting developments in the agriculture sector over the past decade, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant said Goa’s agricultural exports have increased from ₹3.57 crore to over ₹5 crore, horticulture production has risen from 2 lakh tonnes to 3 lakh tonnes, the food processing sector has grown from ₹1.34 crore to ₹2.34 crore, and the share of food processing exports has increased from 13.7 per cent to 20.4 per cent. He also informed that a proposal to revive 18,000 hectares of khazan land has been submitted to the World Bank and NITI Aayog.
