PANAJI: Science and Technology Minister Michael Lobo on Monday launched the competition "Goa Young Innovator Award 2019-2020" instituted by the Goa State Innovation Council (GSInC). Lobo told media persons that the competition has been launched with the objective to drive the innovation agenda in the State and to harness the core competencies, local talent, resources and capabilities to create new opportunities. The Minister said that GSInC encourages submissions from the participants for the award based on their Creative Ideas. Parents and teachers may propose a problem to the child to identify potential solution and help them convert the ideas into a prototype/model, but not suggest the idea themselves. The teachers should ensure that projecrts submitted to the competition are original ideas so that competition maintains a high standard. The competition is open in two categories ie students studying in standard Vth to VIIth and from standard VIIIth to Xth. In each category three cash prizes of Rs 20,000, Rs 15,000 and Rs 10,000 will be awarded. Besides this, mentoring and other facilities will be provided to the students. The participating students wull have to submit the proposals online to goastateinnovationcouncil.com/goas-young-innovator-award. the schools have been asked to aubmi as many projects as they wish. The last date for submission of the ideas is February 22 , The winners will be announcved in march 2020. More information may be obtained from project officer Sudip Faldesai@ gsic.in or mobile phone number" 9886270270. GSInC chairman Jose Manuel Noronha and director of science and technology Levinson Martins were also present. GI tags to Goan items will motivate youth to take up farming: Lobo Khola or Canacona chillies known for their brilliant red colour and medium-pungent taste have been granted Geographical Indication (GI) tag which gives Goan producers of this variety of chilly exclusive brand protection rights. The GI tag that is valid for a decade was granted to Khola Chilli in December 2019.
According to Science and Technology Minister Michael Lobo, this is the first agricultural produce in the State that has been given the GI tag. Goa's famed alcoholic beverage Feni was granted GI status in 2013. The government is in working on GI for other Goan items such as coconut vinegar, Harmal chilly, Goan khaje, Maindoli banana, Mancurad mango, bebinca, Goan variety of cashewnuts, brinjal, local Goan rice etc. The Minister further said that farmers will be happy when they get GI mark for their products. This will give boost to agriculture and also will be motivation to youth to take up farming. The Khola Chilli Cultivators Group responsible in growing these chilies have also been awarded the Plant Genome Saviour Community Award.