Panaji: October 13, 2026:
In a bid to strengthen agricultural infrastructure and farmer support in Goa, Chief Minister Dr. Pramod Sawant today inaugurated the newly constructed Zonal Agriculture Office at Valpoi. Built at a cost of ₹2.70 crore, the facility will improve access to agricultural schemes, technical guidance and essential government services for farmers across the region.
Reinforcing the Government of Goa’s focus on grassroots development, the new office will facilitate the implementation of agricultural schemes, promote modern farming practices and expand access to technical assistance and training. During the programme, the Chief Minister also distributed Krishi Cards to farmers to facilitate access to agricultural benefits and support.
Addressing the gathering, Dr. Sawant highlighted the Government’s initiatives for farmer welfare and agricultural development over the past seven years. He underscored the role of improved paddy procurement prices, subsidies, Krishi Cards, Soil Health Cards and community farming in supporting the farming community. Emphasizing the need to diversify agricultural activities under the Swayampurna Goa Mission, he encouraged farmers to explore vegetable cultivation, floriculture and turmeric farming to enhance their income. He also stressed the importance of biodiversity centres and sustainable farming practices in strengthening Goa’s agricultural sector.
Demonstrating its focus on agricultural diversification, the Zonal Agriculture Office, Valpoi, undertook several farmer-oriented initiatives during 2025–26. Through the Sattari Farmers Society, it facilitated the distribution of 80,000 marigold seedlings, 80,000 cashew grafts, 700 lime plants, 3,000 mango plants and 10,000 arecanut plants. Awareness programmes reached 14 self-help groups and approximately 350 farmers, while 100 farmers received training in oil palm cultivation. Other initiatives covered Trigona honeybee keeping, soil testing and soil sampling.
Expanding practical support for farmers and rural communities, the office distributed 380 hygrometers, trained 20 youth in coconut climbing with insurance coverage and facilitated agricultural machinery custom hiring through three tractors. Assistance was also extended through approximately 210 fencing cases, 45 irrigation cases and 184 agricultural machinery cases. Community farming initiatives at Golauli and Thane aimed to revive barren land, while biogas promotion among 40 cattle farmers in Maloli, agricultural machinery maintenance workshops and efforts to revive traditional Puran Sheti further contributed to agricultural development in Sattari.
The programme was attended by Dr. Deviya Rane, MLA, Poriem; Shri Nikhil Desai, IAS, Secretary, Agriculture; Shri Chandrahas Desai, Director of Agriculture; Shri Premnath Dalvi, social worker; Shri Namdev, Honda Zilla Panchayat Member; Smt. Pratibha Naik, Member, Honda Panchayat; and Shri Vinod Shinde, social worker, along with sarpanchas, panch members, farmers, agricultural officials and other distinguished guests
