Utorda, Verna, Nuvem, Majorda and Nagoa form an important hub of organically grown watermelons. The alluvial soil around river Sal basin is favorable for growing watermelons. These watermelons are harvested around this time of year but this year the crop is infested with worms and large tracts of plantations are spoiled and farmers are in loss. Compensation is not the answer but a detailed analysis of this disease is a must and the agricultural department should initiate unbiased investigation of the root cause of rare disease, which until now was not faced by these farmers. How these worms appeared in the fields is a question. Compensation is necessary, but a successful yield is what satisfies a farmer.
Many farmers speculate and cite different reasons which may or may not be correct .A farmer from Utorda blames the flying coal dust from railway transportation, while farmer from Verna blames the bypass highway embankments as they hinder natural flow of water which is stagnant on one side and feels that source of worms originated from this stagnation. A farmer from Nagoa points at the pollution from the industrial estate.
A watermelon enthusiast Anthony Pereira from Utorda says he purchased watermelons from 6 different farmers this year, none had the usual red colour, or the delicious taste. He wonders if it a purposed mischief of melon traders across the borders, because during this season demand for their yield is less since local good quality melons are easily available.
Only assurances and compensation will not help but, a corrective action is the need of the hour. With Nuvem and other villages proposed to be notified as urban, the intentions look questionable.
The confidence of the farmers is shaken and the agricultural department and the Government should find the root cause, take corrective measures and restore the farmers’ confidence and protect this organic watermelon growing hub for posterity.
