Agriculture Minister Sankalp Amonkar has said that improving the reach of government schemes to farmers will be among his priorities, adding that he will take up the issue with Chief Minister Pramod Sawant.

Amonkar made the statement after holding a meeting with senior officials of the Agriculture Department on Monday to review its functioning and discuss key issues concerning farmers.

“The Agriculture Department is not new to me. I have worked for three years as Chairman of the Goa Horticulture Corporation. At present, farmers are not receiving the benefits of various government schemes, and I will follow up with the Chief Minister to ensure that these benefits are further extended,” Amonkar said.

He also announced that he would meet the Union Agriculture Minister next week to discuss matters related to the agriculture sector.

The meeting with department officials marks Amonkar's initial review of the department following his induction into the state cabinet.