PANJIM: Lamenting feni price should be raised at least by 40 to 50 per cent for the business to become profitable, Nitin Ekwade, farmer from Morlem Colony said that a mere hike of 20 per cent will not serve the purpose due to high labour cost and reduced cashew apple productivity.
“For feni business to turn profitable, the rates should increase by atleast 40 to 50 per cent,” he disclosed.
Hansel Vaz, proprietor of Cazula Feni is expecting that the feni price will be raised in a month or two.
He said that the panic buying of feni has already begun and that the current purchase rate is 50 per cent higher than the normal purchase trend.
“In order to cope up with inflation, the industry as a whole should start planting more cashew saplings. The government along with the Agriculture Department have to start an intensive cashew plantation drive,” Vaz said.
Director of Department of Agriculture Nevil Alphonso said, “Unseasonal rains have reduced the cashew productivity. Cashew yield this year is comparably less than the previous year due to abrupt change in climate conditions.”
“Price of feni varies depending upon the market trends. More demand, higher is the price per litre and vice versa. Government has no control on it,” he added.
President of Feni Manufacturers and Bottlers Association Gurudatta Bhakta said, “The government should take immediate steps to enhance the crop productivity.”
