<p></p><p>Apart from unfavorable climate, the situation is deteriorating for all horticulture crops in Goa despite robust demand and their fetching good returns to the farmer, says Shoma Patnaik</p> <p>Something that every Goan looks forward to in summer is mangoes. Taking a chunk off the King of Fruits is one of the most pleasurable activities of summer season. But mangoes from all accounts could be eaten less by residents this year. The fruit is going to pinch the purse with prices expected to remain on the higher side even as supply improves in the coming month of May. <br></p> <p>Check with vendors in Panjim market reveals that famed Mancurad has yet to make a full-blown appearance in the market. It is mostly Alphonso variety from Maharashtra that is on sale as larger quantities have been imported into the state this year. Goan variety Mancurad is priced at Rs 500 for six and if the size of the fruit is small then it is cheaper at Rs 300 for six. Alphoso mangoes are quoting in the region of Rs 450 per dozen. <br></p> <p>In 2015 good sized Mancurad could be had for around Rs 300 per dozen during peak period of availability. This year shopkeepers predict an increase of at least 30-35 per cent in the rate at the crest. <br></p> <p>Climatic conditions have been distinctly unfavorable to the mango in 2016 as the state did not have a good spell of winter. During the winter season the chill was experienced only on some nights with weather remaining warm during the rest of season. This affected flowering of mango trees and consequently the crop is expected to be lower by as much as 50 per cent. <br></p> <p>The mango crop decrease in 2016 is going to be accompanied by similar situation for cashew nuts. In case of cashew nuts the output during 2015-16 is expected to be 30-35 per cent lower than 25,011 tons in 2015-16. Non conducive climate is responsible for the decrease in cashew nut yield, according to growers. Both the mango and the cashew have fallen prey to poor weather conditions, say farmers. <br></p> <p>Over the years, however, the scenario on mangoes and cashew nuts is discouraging. Glance at statistics from the Directorate of Agriculture, Krishi Bhavan, reveals that production is on the decline for both the horticulture crops (see table). Peak production of mangoes occurred in 2012-13 when weather conditions were just right and farmers reported a bountiful crop of 9,036 tons. Since then there was a decrease in output in 2013-14 followed by another decline in the next year. <br></p> <p>In case of cashews highest production recorded was 25,011 tons in 2014-15 when output increased by 2.7 per cent over the previous year. Over a period of years, cashew output is down which is sad news considering the market potential of the nut from tourists. A fall-out of lower production is on prices at the wholesale and retail level. The rate for raw cashews at the wholesale market is hardened to Rs 124 per kg currently and price hike in retail market is also expected soon. <br></p> <p>Goa’s major horticulture crops such as mango, cashew nut, pepper and areca nut are profitable to the farmer because they fetch good rate in the market, according to agriculturist. However even they concede that despite handsome prices the production of these crops is nothing to crow about. Output of horticulture crops is stagnant if not dropping despite government incentives in place to encourage farming. <br></p> <p>There are several problems to increasing production, according to Ulhas Pai Kakode, director, department of agriculture. Production is basically based on climatic conditions and there is very little to be done about it, he says. “With weather as the primary factor it is difficult to assess productivity,” he says. Other hurdles to increasing productivity are small size of plantations, poor methods of farming, high cost of labour and presence of pests. <br></p> <p>Ground level check reveals that mango production is scattered all over the state and there could be mere 20 large plantations. Most Goan households with land have two-three mango trees in their backyard while organized cultivation implies a grower with 50-100 trees. A large mango plantation in the state is of around 10 hectares and there are only a handful of them in existence. <br></p> <p>Irrigation is difficult on small and fragmented fields. Further, a lot of fertile agricultural land is wasted in providing boundaries. Under such circumstances, the owner cannot concentrate on improvement. <br></p> <p>On the other hand, cashew plantations are larger in size but farmers are slow in implementing better growing methods. Agriculturists concede that cashew harvested is with minimum effort by the average plantation owner who merely picks the fruit. There is very little of inputs on the part of the farmer to make his farm high-yielding, say experts. <br></p> <p>Areca nut and pepper fetch golden returns to the farmer but recurrent disease is a major reason for output remaining stunted. Similarly pests are also the cause of low productivity in coconuts. In fact there are host of reasons for declining production and poor productivity of horticulture crops. <br></p> <p>All horticulture crops are profitable to the farmer and they are not loss making activities. In recent years several entrepreneurs are attracted to farming and hopes are high that their entry will increase output in the coming years. But even this is a pipe dream really with farmers lured by real estate and tourism. Goa’s natural climate is extremely conducive to horticulture crops but with climate playing truant it is necessary to come out with hardier fruit varieties that can withstand weather conditions. Experts point out that even in small sized plantations measures can be carried out that increase productivity. <br></p> <p>Most cashew plantations in Goa have old trees. They require replanting with high yielding varieties. At the same time, more areas, mainly waste lands lying idle must be brought under cashew cultivation by motivating farmers. Timely supply of planting materials, finance and extension services are vital apart from ensuring a remunerative price for the raw nuts. <br></p> <p>Commercial horticulture crops like areca nut are perennial. They can give higher yield with good nutritional management. Quality cuttings in pepper and areca nut is essential for increasing productivity. Of the major five horticulture crops under discussion, Goa exports areca nut to outside states and is perhaps self-sufficient in pepper. In mango, more and more quantities are getting imported from outside states as consumption is increasing. <br></p> <p>Local production of cashew nuts are also not enough for the cashew processing industry.<br></p><p></p>