Aim to increase rice production in Goa: Parrikar

Goa government is aiming to secure a sizeable jump in the production of rice in the state by introducing latest techniques under a central scheme, Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar has said.
Parrikar told the state Assembly today that rice production has already increased from 3,972-kg per hectare to 4,500-kg per hectare.
"But I am not satisfied. We will try to increase the production further and take it to 6,000-kg per hectare," the chief minister said in response to demand for grants to the agriculture department.
He said that farmers need to be given technological help. "We have asked for Rs 150 crore from the government of India; they can give it under the Rajiv Krishi Vikas Yojana," Parrikar added.

He said that a three per cent decrease in the land under paddy cultivation was mainly because farmers are opting for horticulture.
"The farmers have shifted to high-end horticultural production. Paddy fields are abandoned and people are opting for horticulture," he said, adding, however, that overall agricultural production has increased in the state.