PANJIM: Goa which is known for its cashew and mango plantations is facing a steep fall in this year’s harvest. Goan farmers are facing hardships since the overall yields of cashew and mangoes have declined by and average of 50% this year.
The vagaries of nature too have added to the miseries of farmers. The onslaught of the pre-monsoon downpour might most likely take a toll on the harvest of mangoes. The thunderstorms and gusty winds too have destroyed the mangoes besides creating a fertile ground for the flies to breed in the fruits.
Despite this, cashew farmers in Morpila are continuing with their profession of collecting the fruit, extracting juice and producing urrack and feni. Despite having secure jobs, these families are working hard to keep this age old family occupation alive.
According to the Director of Agriculture Nevil Alphonso, this year the cashew and mango harvest is very less. “There has been a fall of between 30% to 60% in the harvest this year. So the average is about 50% fall in harvest. There has also been a delay in flowering of cashews,” he admitted.
When asked whether the effect of the weather on the cashew crop Alphonso said, “The unseasonal rain on Saturday may not affect the cashew crop, but if there is continuous rain, it will do so.”
Quizzed about any fluctuation in the rate of cashew nuts this year Alphonso said, “The rate of cashew nuts is Rs 111 per kg. It is stable, it has not fluctuated.”
Asked about the mango crop this year, Alphonso said, “The flowering of mangoes has not been so good this year. There has also been a delay in the flowering and yield of mangoes. This year we are not expecting a good yield of mangoes based on the flowering.
Morpila Cashew farmer Geetanjali Velip said “This year, the rate of cashew nuts is Rs 111. Last year the rate had touched Rs 123. The cashew season is okay. The rain was not that heavy, it rained less here. So the cashew harvest was not affected.”