It was really good to see Manohar Parrikar recently unveil a host of measures to boost agriculture in Goa. I hope these will be properly utilised by us Goans. We need self sufficiency in agricultural and other produce rather than depend on neighbouring states. Every family should be encouraged to grow something. Those living in apartments can even grow a few vegetables or herbs for self-consumption.
We do not need to invite polluting industries from outside the state (where the major number of employees are inevitably non-Goans) to set up shop in Goa. Instead, with a little boost in the right direction, Goa is quite capable of becoming a major exporter of vegetables, fruits, flowers and dairy products. This will also encourage ancillary units like manufacturing, packaging, preserving, canning, etc. where local Goans can be employed. In the past, some villages in Goa produced unique, delectable, high quality cheeses as the people of Divar, Narvem and Chorao will attest. Sadly, these are not seen anymore. Can any Goanetters shed more light on this and the processes involved? It was also good to hear the new Minister for Forests and Environment, Alina Saldanha, endorse Manohar Parrikar's policy of a plastic-free and garbage-free Goa. Rather than only plastic drives and clean-up operations undertaken by well-meaning citizens and groups (including Alina Saldanha) we need to STOP littering, spitting, etc. with stiff fines to the offenders. This will initially bring revenue to the Government and in the long term, we will have environmentally-concious citizens, and a CLEAN GOA. DM