SATURDAY, MAY 04, 2024
FREDDY FERNANDES
RAIA: Former computer engineer Edward Mendes is the first farmer in 2024 to have produced a mature apple fruit in Goa, despite its humid climate. Having been the sole distributor of exotic fruits and vegetables in Goa for a Pune-based company after returning from Germany, Mendes has transformed Raicho Ambo (Manora) Raia into a vast apple cultivation area by leasing land and planting over 200 apple trees, perhaps the largest apple plantation in Goa.
As a 10-year-old child, he observed his granny indulging in agriculture, growing chilies, cluster beans, turnips, onions, etc., in Raia. Transitioning from supplying exotic fruits to starred hotels and individuals, Mendes ventured into hydroponics (growing without soil), aquaponics (a combination of hydroponics and farming fish), and integrated systems (cultivating vegetables, poultry, and fish).
Mendes explains, “I procured three varieties of apple tissue culture from Hariman Sharma from Bilaspur, Himachal Pradesh. Sharma obtained the root stock from Israel and grafted apple plants onto them. These apple plants can grow in temperatures of up to 45 degrees Celsius and hence can be cultivated in Goa or anywhere in India. I planted the apple tissue culture on January 10, 2022, when they were already 8 months old. I planted the HRMN 99, Anna, and Golden Delicious varieties. I planted 200 plants on a leased farm and also grew a few in buckets in front of my house in Raia.”
“In the first year, the flowers and roots were not strong enough, so I discarded them. In the second year, the flowers were washed away by the rain. In the third year (2024), I lost 35 plants, but over 40 plants are now fruiting on the farm.
However, this first mature apple, which grew in my garden, was supposed to flower in May, but due to sudden rain and a drop in temperature, it matured faster. So, this is my first,” Mendes says with pride.
When asked about the remaining apples, which will mature in June, he mentioned he would distribute them to friends and to the Department of Agriculture and Indian Council of Agricultural Research. He plans to sell them the following year. Mendes is prepared to carry out plantations at anyone’s place and manage them for four to five years.
However, Mendes is not the first to grow apples in Goa. Director of ICAR Dr Parveen Kumar mentioned that ICAR had previously planted apple saplings in Netravali but was unaware whether the plants bore fruit. Fruit Scientist Dr Maneesha S R confirmed that HRMN 99, Anna, and Golden Delicious varieties were planted in Salgini, Tudo, and Verlem villages of Netravali, but she too was unaware whether the trees bore apple fruit since she was transferred to Kerala.
It may be recalled that O Heraldo, in its July 31, 2023, edition, featured Rajat Prabhu from Bethora, who had grown 50 apple trees on his barren land at Chafega-Nirankal in Bethora panchayat. It is reported that three apple trees bore fruit in 2023.
