ICAR report says worst output in mango, banana and cashew
Shoma Patnaik
Panaji: Although Goa’s vegetable production is increasing, the output in the state at 9.95 tonnes per hectare (in 2022-23) is much below the national average of 18 tonnes per hectare, according to a report prepared by Indian Council of
Agricultural Research-Central Coastal Agricultural Research Institute (ICAR-CCARI), Old Goa.
Flagging the worst productivity in mango, banana and cashew, the report states that only the output of areca nut, paddy and pineapple compares well with the national average.
Areca nut productivity at 1.9 tonnes per ha surpasses the national average of 1.8 tonnes per ha, while the state’s average output of paddy at 2.8 tonnes per ha is slightly higher than the national average of 2.7 tonnes per ha. Productivity of pineapple at 16.5 tonnes per ha is at par with the national average. The report states that in case of all the other crops such as pulses, fruits, vegetables and spices, the productivity is well below the national average.
According to the report, inadequate irrigation facilities during the post-monsoon season when vegetables are grown widely, along with pests and diseases, hinder higher vegetable yield. Limited availability of quality seeds is another major issue in growing vegetables, states the report.
Goa’s paddy farmers face the hurdle of fragmented land holdings, high cost of labour and increasing urbanisation. Cultivation of plantation crops such as cashew and coconut are adversely affected by the presence of senile orchards, poor soil nutrients, pest infections and insufficient irrigation facilities.
The state’s main fruits include mango, banana, sapota, papaya, jackfruit and lemon among others. Stating that most of the fruit crops are highly sensitive to climatic variations such as extreme heat, irregular rainfall and humidity levels that can adversely affect flowering and overall yield, the research institute’s findings suggest careful attention to fertilisation and soil health.
The report ‘Viksit Goa 2047: Revitalising Agriculture & Allied Sectors for self-reliant Goa’ recommends more thrust on cultivating horticulture crops in the coming years due to the increased demand from people for fresh and organic produce.
It calls for creating a robust support system for the traditional method of ‘kulagar’ farming. “Local paddy farmers must move away from mono-cropping and diversify. They need to implement integrated farming system for year-round livelihood and to increase income,” states the report.
The other suggestions made include adopting a ‘one taluka, one product’ (OTOP) programme on the lines of ‘one district, one product’ project of the Union government, market linkages between farmers and hotels, promoting agri-tourism, contract and community farming.
“The rich and diverse ecosystem of the state comprising khazan land, mangroves, rivers, lakes, forests needs to be preserved for a profitable agricultural sector,” says the report.
