FRIDAY, APRIL 19, 2024
Uday Sawant
VALPOI: The humble coconut and a staple in the Goa’s Xitt Codi is losing its market value and giving sleepless nights to horticulturists as they are losing out to competitors from other States.
After years of sweating it out, the coconut producers from especially from Sattari say that their investment of time, labour and money will not yield any fruit when it comes to marketing their coconut produce as they have no takers.
Thane-based Gopinath Gaonkar, Gopal Gaonkar from Nagargaon are one of the many examples from the agriculture-oriented Sattari taluka who are trapped in the financial crisis.
Currently, coconuts brought from other States are priced at Rs 10 each which has been affecting the local producers. If they were to sell their coconuts for the same rate, they would not be able to recover even the production cost. They are in constant worry of whether they will have to sideline their dreams given the circumstances. Therefore they are hopeful for Goa State Horticultural Development Corporation Ltd for much needed aid.
A major source of income for many locals once upon a time, the coconut production in Sattari taluka is currently on decline. Nuisance and damage caused by wild animals on one hand while decrease in demand on the other has farmers worried. If the government does not come up with an ideal way to sell the coconut produce, the losses incurred by the producers will be huge.
It has been proven time and time again that the Sattari is inherently agriculture-oriented. There are a number of coconut orchards throughout the taluka. The coconut produce has been piled up in most of these orchards as the current market rate which is Rs 10 to 15 per nut on an average is not desirable for the horticulturists. The coconut coming from other States is also large in number and has staged a tough survival test in front of the coconuts produced here.
"To produce coconuts is not as easy as it may seem. And since the demand this year is low, it's even more demotivating. The government has been trying to make the farmers self-sufficient through various schemes but since the demand itself is low it does not help much. If the government finds a solution to give us a desired rate then it would be appreciable. Otherwise the future for the coconut producers looks bleak," said Gopinath Gaonkar from Thane.
"The coconut production in Sattari is huge and demand comparatively is very less. The unfavourable conditions have badly affected the financial side and naturally puts constraints on the producers' budget. Special provisions on the government level and by the Horticulture Department are needed if we are to revive this business," said another producer Gopal Gaonkar from Nagargaon.
