WTC Goa organizes AGROWTECH 2019

World Trade Center, Goa along with National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) Krishi Samruddhi Farmers Producers Company and Lila Digital and Environmental solutions Pvt Ltd organized “Agrowtech 2019”, an agriculture technology seminar ,on 27th September 2019 at Panaji Goa.

Chief Guest Mr. Nevil Alphonso, Deputy Director of Agriculture, Government of Goa, in his address congratulated WTC Goa for the splendid effort in organizing this seminar in bringing together the various stake holders to supplement Government efforts in developing Agriculture in Goa. He said the Green Revolution changed India’s status of being a food importer to an exporter but also saw the indiscriminate use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides in Agricultural production and said that the efforts have to be made to make available safe food to people without adversely affecting the environment, soil and water, and strongly recommended that organic farming should be encouraged. Mr. Alphonso also spoke on the opportunities that urban farming for flower and vegetable growing, could open up for the people of Goa. He opined that community farming could help greatly in raising agricultural output and that precision farming and drip irrigation, would also play a big role in our efforts to increase farm outputs. Mr. Alphoso was very happy that for the first time Hotel industry was represented at an agricultural event. He said that this segment is a big buyer of agricultural products hence their support would be of utmost importance to encourage local farmers to increase their agricultural output.

Guest of Honor, Mr. Dilip Paranjape, Director, Agriculture Technology Management Agency (ATMA) (North) Government of Goa, in his address spoke on the pressure on farm lands because of fragmentation and the need of the hour he said was to increase productivity of these fragmented farmlands. He cited the Government’s efforts for encouraging Horticulture, growing of vegetable and offering value addition activities like Vermiculture, Beekeeping, Mushroom Cultivation etc. which would help the farmers make better use of their farmland and also get a greater income from the same land size. He cited the examples of large companies like Reliance and Lupin who are using Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Funds wonderfully in this area.

However, Mr. Paranjape expressed that the biggest hindrance that local agricultural sector faces is the area of marketing of the produced Agricultural output and he requested all the help from World Trade Centre Goa and the Hotel Industry to help in this aspect. He also said that there needs to be greater efforts in online selling of Agricultural produce through E-Commerce by setting up a dedicated portal loosely modeled on the lines of successful portals like Amazon and Flip kart.

Guest of Honor Mr. Vasant Sarvardekar, Deputy General, NABARD, Goa, highlighted the role and facilities offered by the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD). He informed that NABARD focuses attention on the farming sector and disperses loans to the farmers through the medium of nationalized banks and various Government’s undertakings. He also spoke on NABARD’s role in infrastructure development that facilitates easy moment of raw material as well as agricultural produce. He highlighted the bank's role in formulating a state action plan for containing the ill-effects of Climate change and explained the interest subvention scheme which is of immense benefit to the farmers. Mr. Sarvardekar also highlighted NABARD’s insurance schemes that are operated through various insurance companies. He expressed that NABARD is happy to be part of this type of forum that helps them collect market intelligence and feedback from the farmers and various stake holders and helps them to then advice the Government in formulating suitable policies that would be of great benefit to the agricultural community.

Special Invitee, Mr. Ricardo De Souza, Director, Tito’s Resorts & Hospitality Pvt. Ltd. in his address said that the need of the hour is a special focus on Branding and effective Marketing of Agriculture produce for Goa. In this regard he said the Government of Goa's stamp of authenticity in the process of due check and diligence would go a long way in promoting effective branding and formulating a good marketing strategy. He strongly recommended that Farmers Markets be set up across the state, especially in tourist areas, where, apart from sourcing local produce the tourist could also be treated to the local food and delicacies to match their palates.

Mr. De Souza recommended that organic Agricultural produce could also be supplied directly to large hotels. He also propagated the idea of setting up a green basket online portal to help consumers in the possibility of online purchase. Mr. Ricardo offered all his help and support in putting in place an effective Branding and Marketing strategy as well as setting up the local Farmers Market. He also requested the help of the World Trade Center Goa in helping encouraging exports of Agricultural produce from Goa.

Mr. Gavin D’souza, Director, Lila Environmental and Digital Solutions Private Limited, apprised on the increasing role of drip irrigation facilities and how it could put farm land to optimum use by making them cultivable even in non-monsoon season thereby helping farmers do multiple cropping and increase farm output and also their income. Mr. D’souza also spoke on new technologies in the digital space that would help understand soil salinity and fertility to enable farmers take corrective measures in these areas and increase agricultural output with minimum adverse effect on the environment.

Mr. Sujaykumar Patil, Agronomist, Jain Irrigation Systems Ltd, Jalgaon, conducted the technical sessions on Rice Cultivation through Drip Irrigation Systems that would enable the farmer to have a second crop of Rice production in the non monsoon season which would enable the farmers to produce more to meet local needs and also have a surplus for Exports in the future. Mr. Patil also conducted a Session on the Ultra High Density Production of Mangoes that will be of immense help to the farmers in increasing the yield of this much sought after cash crop and also thereby help them make better use of their existing farms and also generate extra income from the same farm holding.

Mr. Cyril Desouza, Assistant Director Trade Promotion, World Trade Center Goa in his vote of thanks assured all stake holders of WTC Goa’s support in marketing and encouraging exports of Agricultural produce through the vast network of almost 300 WTC’s in close to 100 countries. Mr. Desouza also extended the help of WTC Goa in supplementing the efforts of all the stake holders in increasing the local output of Agricultural output not only to meet domestic needs but to also cater to export market as well.

Seen in the Picture : Chief Guest, Mr. Nevil Alphonso addressing the Farmers & Delegates, in the presence of other dignitaries on the dias.