PANAJI: The Goa State Horticulture Corporation Ltd has decided for the first time to export locally grown chillis to the Persian Gulf markets. The development comes in the backdrop of surplus production of chillis in the state.
Addressing a press conference here on Thursday, GSHCL chairman Kiran Khandolkar said that more than 250 tonne of chillis produced by local growers were exported to Belagavi last year, and now the corporation has decided to export two varieties of chilly – ‘UG 6609’ and ‘Sai Priya’ – to the Persian Gulf.
The move will provide opportunities to farmers to earn incremental income and get good exposure at the international level.
“We have developed contacts with export agencies and have also shown them samples of locally grown chillis. They have not only shown their acceptance on the varieties but have also expressed their desire to export the chillis due to availability of port, international air cargo services and cold storage at the airport…,” he added.
Kandolkar, who is also Tivim MLA, criticised the agriculture department for the delay in allotment of 40000 sqmts of land to the corporation. The land has been sought for Rs 100-crore horticulture depot in Tivim.
“The file has been pending before the department for nine months, unnecessarily delaying the work. If the depot gets ready then it would boost horticulture and floriculture production and also help consumers buy fresh vegetables from neighbouring states, which will be tested for pesticide and insecticide at the depot,” he added.
In yet another decision taken at the 107th board meeting, the corporation decided to shut down 50 horticulture outlets due to poor performance and rising complaints from vegetable buyers for calling it a day before the closing hours.
The meeting resolved to open 250 more outlets.
“It is a wise decision taken by the board members to shut down outlets which are not doing well… We will soon invite applications to raise the number of vegetable outlets in Goa from the existing 835 to about 1000,” the GSHCL chairman said.
The board has also decided to inaugurate new air-conditioned mini supermarket at Altinho on October 5 on a trial basis. The supermarket will sell vegetables, fruits and other perishable produce at subsidised rates. A total of Rs 20 lakh has been granted to the GSIDC to complete the work.
On its annual award ceremony, the board decided to give award this year to the best corporators for initiatives in the agriculture development.
The board also approved to grant temporary status to as many as 28 contract employees.