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 revolutionizing agriculture through organic farming, hydroponics, aeroponics, aquaponics, urban agriculture, and 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 penalized by the Goa State Pollution Control Board, according to the policy, while the preservation of Goa's rich agricultural heritage and its integration with modern agricultural techniques to enhance productivity and sustainability will take center 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.
Read more at Times of India