Goa govt plans to amend tenancy act

The move will pave way for contract farming to spur agricultural growth in state

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Goa government is toying with the idea of amending the Goa, Daman and Diu Tenancy Act, which will pave a way for contract farming to spur agricultural growth in the state.

State chief secretary B Vijayan told this to reporters here today.

"There is an idea of revisiting the Tenancy Act, though it has not taken concrete shape yet," he said.

The Manohar Parrikar-led state government has been emphasising growth of primary sector to compensate the loss in revenue and employment due to stoppage of mining activity. The government has projected six per cent growth in the agriculture sector in the next five years.

"Agriculture is one sector that you cannot change overnight. There are several challenges, but we are sure to reach the targeted growth," Vijayan said.

He said that emphasis would be given on collective farming, so that mechanisation process can reach maximum farmers without any hassles.

"For example, one harvesting machine can be used by collective group of farmers. The collective approach is accepted by the farmers in the state, who are scheduling their farming time-table in sync with one another," he added. The state government, he said, is also trying to encourage setting up food processing industry in the state so that the demand for farm products increases.

"When there is demand, there will be a need for supply resulting in encouragement of agriculture and horticulture," Vijayan commented.