Goa for contract farming to boost agriculture

Panaji, Jan 18 (UNI) Goa Cabinet has decided to allow contract farming to boost agriculture by suitably introducing the Agriculture Produce Marketing, Regulation and Development Bill in coming Assembly session.

Briefing reporters after the Cabinet meeting here today, Chief Minister Pratapsinh Rane said contract farming would help increase the cultivable area and eliminate middlemen.

The Cabinet has also decided to enhance the price of milk procured from bonafide farmers attached with the milk cooperative society of Goa to Rs 12 per litre to meet the growing cost of inputs.

Goa produces about 60,000 litres per day and imports from neighbouring states to meet the requirements.

The Cabinet has also decided to create eleven posts of theatre artistes under the directorate of education, one each for a municipality. It has also authorised the government to appoint a retired joint secretary for drafting in the state legislature department.

UNI