Canacona ryots fear low yield of cashew, mango

Canacona: Several farmers in Canacona who have large

cashew and mango

orchards under cultivation have expressed fear over potential losses this season due to weather conditions. A local farmer Ram Velip said that the flowering for these two crops was affected partially due to unseasonal rains in late November and early December. Similarly dew in the initial stages of flowering also affected the crop, he said.

Director of agriculture Nevil Aphonso told TOI, “Though both the crops were affected by rain initially and the flowering was delayed, I am certain that there will be no loss to farmers growing these two crops.” He added that there wasn’t too much dew for a prolonged duration and hence the cashew and mango yield should be good and normal. He said, “Farmers shouldn’t be worried. Now that the temperature is gradually getting warm, this should help crops which are in full bloom.”

Ajit Pai, who has large orchards of cashew and mango, said that both the crops will suffer this season because the climate was more favourable to male flowers. This, he said, has resulted in more male flowers than female flowers.

Another farmer, Madhav Acharya from Loliem, who has about 300 mango grafts, said that a lot depends on favourable climate conditions for particular crops. “This year the climate changed a little during the flowering stage,” he said, adding, “I doubt there would be a normal yield this year like the previous years.”

However, zonal agriculture officer, Kirtiraj Naik Gaonkar said that there will be a normal yield this season and farmers needn’t worry.

Rajesh Gaonkar, a farmer from Cotigao who has between 250 to 300 cashew trees said, “I try some innovative methods every year to ensure a better yield as compared to other farmers.”