PONDA: The monsoon’s inordinate delay in Goa has greatly impacted Ponda’s cucumber production. Ironically therefore, the water-rich vegetable, which is much sought after during the summer months as a healthy thirst quencher, is itself in short supply.
Cucumbers are widely grown in the Ponda taluka, from where they are distributed to markets across the state for sale. While they are usually expected to hit the markets in June, very few have trickled in despite the more than 20 days of the month already lapsing. Farmers attribute deviant weather conditions to the poor crop and fear that they will soon have to grapple with financial losses if the rains fail to arrive.
Harvested mostly in Priol, Bethora and Farmagudi by more than 20 farmers, the turnover of cucumber crop normally runs into lakhs of rupees. In Farmagudi, interestingly, students are the largest consumers of the refreshing vegetable, what with several educational institutions located in the area.
“Cucumber crops require a lot of water. Due to the present water shortage in Farmagudi’s hilly region, we’ve now filed an appeal with the local panchayat for water and power connections,” said young farmer Virendra Shirodkar while underscoring the urgent need for good rainfall to adequately irrigate the fields.
Nilu Gaude, another farmer, concurred. “Seasonal vegetables such as cucumber and red amaranth have been impacted due to the delay in the monsoon’s arrival. Farmers have begun with their necessary preparations, but any more delay in the rains, and it’ll impact the harvest badly,” Gaude said.
