<p></p><p>Ponda: With cashew production across the Ponda taluka slumping by almost half this season as compared to last year, agricultural authorities suspect that the rise in temperature during the winter affected cashew blossoms, and consequently, production of the fruit.The Goa Bagayatdar Sahakari Kharedi Vikri society, the largest purchaser of raw cashew in the state, has admitted that it has received just 50% of stock this season as compared to the last. <br></p> <p>"A sharp decline in cashew crop has been witnessed across the state and we have received just about 1,000 tonnes of raw cashew from our 17 centres this season as compared to the 2,000 tonnes last year," said South Goa MP Narendra Sawaikar, who is also chairman of the Bagayatdar society.Bagayatdar purchases raw cashew from twelve of its branches located at Pernem, Mapusa, Assonora, Bicholim, Sakhali, Valpoi, Marcel, Mardol, Ponda, Shiroda, Curchorem and Canacona. It also have five temporary outlets at Balli, Rivona, Netravali, Dharbandora and Guleli for the convenience of farmers. <br></p> <p>While the society's actual cashew procurement rate this year was 115 per kg, it was subsequently increased to as much as 140 per kg due to lower production."Bagayatdar sells the stock to cashew factories in Goa and in neighbouring states," Sawaikar explained.Endorsing Sawaikar's statement, Ponda zonal agricultural officer (ZAO) Nagesh Komarpant said higher than usual temperature during the last winter directly affected flowering cashew trees. "Cashew production needs at least three months of cold, but this year the climate was far from conducive," he added.Stating the current cashew production figure was "very disappointing", the Goa state agriculture produce marketing board, which records local agricultural produce, claimed that production was just about 2,000 tonnes state-wide. "Last year, the Ponda taluka itself had produced over 3,000 tonnes of cashew," board official Sushant Vaidya, said.<br></p><p></p>