Leaving behind pride & progressive agriculture reforms

Margao: leaves behind a legacy of that sought to protect Goa’s farming heritage and ensure the economic viability of the state’s agrarian community.

Naik will be remembered as a champion of farmers’ rights and a staunch defender of Goa’s agricultural land, which he believed was under threat from rapid urbanisation and external pressures.

Throughout his tenure, Naik repeatedly warned against the sale of agricultural land, expressing concern about Goa’s transformation into what he called a “concrete jungle”. “Outsiders are coming into Goa in droves to buy our land, including agricultural fields. We should protect our land for posterity,” Naik had said.

Naik’s crowning achievement was spearheading Goa’s first agriculture policy, a document he took immense pride in crafting. He claimed that the policy was developed through an extensive consultative process. He revealed that govt conducted 189 meetings to finalise the policy, received 3,700 suggestions, and obtained feedback from all panchayats across the state.

“We brought the agriculture policy to double the income of farmers,” he had stated. “With this policy, maximum agricultural land would be saved from being converted.”

The policy ensures “sustainability and profitability of agriculture as a cornerstone of Goa’s economy, contributing to the overall well-being of the local community”, according to Naik’s vision.