Archive · 5 Jun 2025
Goa Government to Expand Forest Produce Processing with Private Players
Imagine the government wants to protect Goa's forests and help local people.
They have a program called GoVan that does this by using resources like cashew and mangoes from the forest.
They make these into tasty things like pickles.
Now, the government wants to make even more of these things, so they're asking private companies to help.
These companies will need to come up with ways to make the process profitable and help the environment, giving jobs to people, especially women, and ensuring a sustainable use of the forest’s gifts.
That helps to preserve the environment and boost income for the locals.
Goa government plans to involve private players in operating GoVan multi-product processing centres (MPCs).
The initiative aims to expand from the existing four centres to eleven.
GoVan focuses on processing non-timber forest products like cashew and jackfruit.
Private players will need to develop cost-effective and profitable operational plans.
The project supports environmental conservation and empowers local communities, particularly women.
- Who
- Goa State Biodiversity Board, in partnership with private players and local communities.
- What
- The government is expanding GoVan multi-product processing centres (MPCs) to process non-timber forest products into value-added goods.
- When
- Launched in 2021.
- Where
- Goa
- Why
- To preserve biodiversity and promote sustainable use of forest resources.
- Initiative Name
- GoVan
- Launch Year
- 2021
- Governing Act
- Biological Diversity Act of 2002
- Products
- Value-added goods from non-timber forest products
- Primary Focus
- Preserving biodiversity and promoting sustainable harvesting
- Target Audience
- Rural population, especially women
- Processing Centers
- 11 planned, including one at Agnel Ashram, Verna