In a bid to ascertain the suitable crop pattern in the State, the Agriculture Department in Goa will undertake soil nutrition testing in two of its farming taluks of Sattari and Quepem on a pilot basis.

The State Agriculture Minister, Mr Vishwajit Rane, said that the soil nutrition testing would be done through the Centre's Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojna. Goa has received grants worth Rs 3 crore under the project.

Mr Rane held a meeting with the officials of the agriculture department over the issue on Monday .

“The project would initially be carried out only in two taluks and would be later conducted on the farmlands across Goa to decide the suitability of crops and fertility of land,” he said.

The minister said the experts' committee has been formed for the appointment of an agency that will be given the task of conducting tests.

According to the government figures, the total area of the State is 3,700 sq km (3,70,200 ha), of which, 34 per cent of area is under forest covering about 1,25,473 ha. The gross cropped area is 1,71,356 ha and net sown area is 1,40,000 ha. Area of 36,000 hectares in the State is irrigated.

Mr Rane said that the results of the soil and nutrition mapping would be examined by the experts, who will suggest the suitability of the crop.

Meanwhile, Goa is preparing its wish list that would be placed before the Union Agriculture Minister, Mr Sharad Pawar, during his next Goa visit on June 4.

“We want to gain maximum for the agriculture sector under the central government schemes,” the minister said adding that a meeting with Mr Pawar would be organised over the issue.

comment COMMENT NOW