If not already apparent, it is now quite clear that Goa’s cashew industry, which was once among the state’s thriving economic sectors, is quietly fading into oblivion. The reasons for this are many: cut-throat competition from the neighbouring states, cheaper nuts being imported into Goa, and the most concerning: Climate change.
Recently, cashew farmers in the Sattari taluka claimed that production from their plantations dropped by 40-45% in the present season when compared to 2024. This was confirmed by Sattari’s zonal agriculture officer, Vishwanath Gawas. They are apprehensive of a cashew drought because of this even as the agriculture department has attributed the drastic decrease in cashew output to extreme heat which, it says, has been affecting pollination.
Blistering heat that swept across Goa towards the end of February and remained more or less constant for a better part of March, also sparked fires that affected a number of cashew plantations. A plantation at Chikne, a village in Bicholim, was among those that was allegedly affected by this phenomenon recently. The plantation was owned by four people and apart from cashew trees, mango, banana and coconut were also cultivated there. The farmers said they racked up at least Rs two lakh in losses. A similar instance of fire at a cashew plantation was also reported at Verla, Canca.
South Goa wasn’t spared either. Just a few days after the incident at Chikne, a cashew plantation at Shivsarem in Rivona went up in flames, with firefighters struggling for at least three hours to bring the blaze under control. Similarly, plantations at Dumane in Agonda met with a similar fate. Fire and emergency services personnel said the flames spread rapidly due to the high winds and expanses of dry grass which turned the area into something of a tinder box due to the sweltering weather. Earlier this year, in January, locals of Galgibaga said 20 cashew trees had been lost to a fire and that firefighters had used at least 4,000 litres of water to douse the flames.
Several other factors have been seriously impacting the state’s cashew industry too: The real estate boom which has led to more and more land being given up for development, thereby shrinking plantation areas, infestation by pests and unscientific methods of farming. Studies indicate that the Goan cashew tree gives an average yield of 1 kg, as opposed to 12 kg in some countries, and hence, most cashew farms in the state are on the decline. This is unfortunate, given that Goan cashew nuts are known for their quality and distinct taste.
The state government has been aware of this decline and has begun offering a Rs 10 lakh subsidy for new units in a bid to boost the tottering cashew industry. Chief Minister Pramod Sawant also promised that import of cashew nuts from neighbouring states would be reduced, what with around 500 cashew nut processing units having been established in just a 100km radius from Goa in Karnataka and Maharashtra.
However, the intervention appears to be the bare minimum on the part of the government. If it is keen on not only saving but also resurrecting Goa’s once thriving cashew industry, it should take immediate and decisive steps to alleviate the plight of farmers who are still toiling to keep the legacy alive. Offering awareness programmes on better farming practices, coming up with solutions to tackle pest infestations and also keeping specialized teams at hand to douse fires at plantations during the cashew season are some of the measures the government should consider taking.
Goa stands to lose a lot if its prized cashew plantations bite the dust not only due to fires but also due to apathy. It is hoped that the government wakes up and takes action to thwart this before it is too late.