<p></p><p>PANAJI: With the commencement of the cashew season in the state, farmers are now seen busy working in the cashew farms, with the agricultural department being optimistic about the crop yield this season.</p> <p>“We are expecting a good crop this season as the climate has been normal after a slight chill, which was felt during the first week of March. The normal climate will help in good flowering of the plants, which, in turn, will lead to a good yield,” said director of agriculture department P Tufani.Stating that there is scope for improvement in the production of cashew in the state, Tufani said that usually on the hills, one comes across large distances between the cashew trees. “More cashew trees can be accommodated in these areas between the existing trees so that the density of the plants per hectare increases so as to achieve optimum density. This would increase the cashew output without increasing the area under cultivation,” he said. </p><p>Tufani said that usually when the climate remains cold, there are chances of the crop getting affected by tea mosquito, an insect which destroys the tender shoots, inflorescence and the immature nuts at various stages of development. Cloudy weather during flowering leads to scorching of the flowers due to the infestation of the crop by tea mosquito. Dew encourages the production rate of tea mosquito bug, said Tufani. “However, this year, the season for cashew has been good and we can say that summer has begun, which coincides with the cashew season.” </p><p>To maintain good productivity of the existing cashew farms which could otherwise decrease due to soil erosion and the non-application of any nutrients, the agricultural department provides assistance to the farmers by supplying neem cake and rock phosphate. Filling of gaps in case of cashew grafts and contour trenches for soil conservation are also undertaken, said the director of agriculture department. </p><p>“The climate has come back to normal during the last couple of days. The chill which was there earlier has gone and I am hopeful that the climate will remain favourable for a good cashew yield this season,” said a cashew farmer.Another farmer said that at the beginning of the season, he was not much optimistic about the yield. “However, the climate is back to normal and we are expecting a good crop as there is yet time for the season to end. Normally, the cashew season is from February to May.” </p><p> </p><br><p></p>