Panaji: For the first time since Liberation, the cabinet on Thursday approved the Goa State Amritkal Agriculture Policy, 2025, which bans the conversion of all fields designated as ‘rice’, ‘morad’, ‘kher’ and ‘khazan’, and focuses on revolutionising agriculture through organic farming, hydroponics, aeroponics, aquaponics, urban agriculture, a
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nd vertical farming. Special emphasis will also be laid on cash crops like cashew, mango and arecanut, and new crops like avocado, rambutan, grapefruit, and pomelo.
Sewerage release into agricultural land and water bodies will be penalised by the Goa State Pollution Control Board, according to the policy, while preservation of Goa’s rich agricultural heritage and its integration with modern agricultural techniques to enhance productivity and sustainability will take centre stage.
Implementation of the policy will be for a period of 10 years, during which collaboration among various stakeholders — govt agencies, the private sector and civil society — will be promoted. Financial grants for infrastructure setup, land lease subsidies, tax exemptions, and fast-track approvals will be provided to boost vertical farming under the policy that aligns with the vision of ‘Amritkal’, marking the period up to the centenary of India’s Independence in 2047.
The policy’s vision is dedicated to creating an ecosystem that supports farmer welfare, ensures fair labour conditions, and empowers women and youth to engage in agriculture. Towards this end, the enactment of the New Goa Farmers Welfare Act has been envisaged under the policy to provide guaranteed livelihood security to farmers, incorporate sustainable practices, and simplify govt procedures for them. “It emphasises strengthening farmer collectives, enhancing access to markets, credit, and insurance, diversifying income through value addition, and agro-tourism,” the policy document stated.
Agriculture minister Ravi Naik told TOI that the policy aims to revolutionise the agriculture sector by harnessing the state’s unique strengths, addressing its specific challenges, and capitalising on opportunities for growth and development, with a prime focus on farmers’ prosperity. The introduction of innovative financing models to support farmers and agricultural entrepreneurs, including micro-financing and crowdfunding options, has been highlighted.
The agriculture department conducted a massive exercise to finalise the policy and held meetings with stakeholders to understand what they required from govt to cultivate their land and increase production.
The policy ensures the sustainability and profitability of agriculture as a cornerstone of Goa’s economy, contributing to the overall well-being of the local community. It emphasises the importance of innovation, technology and research in transforming agriculture into a more productive, sustainable, and resilient sector while preserving traditional knowledge and practices that sustained Goa’s agriculture for centuries.