ERWIN FONSECA
IBRAMPUR: Goa’s rich coastal landscape, dotted with coconut plantations, has seen a decline in the care once bestowed on these trees. In the past, families would follow meticulous schedules for maintaining plantations, with an understanding that the coconut tree’s productivity was closely tied to the environment and care it received. Dnyaneshwar, who started his work in his late teens, continues this legacy. He began by helping his father, and now, despite the availability of modern fertilisers, he relies on traditional green manuring techniques to keep the trees healthy.
“Our village, Hankhane, is a remote village, and even today, it remains a challenge to make ends meet. Growing up, I had a strong physical build, which encouraged me to take up this job with my father in our village. Initially, I worked locally, but now I’m being called to work in many villages in Bardez as well,” he says.
One of the key traditional methods involves using the plant uski (botanical name: Gatonia Floribunda) as manure. Dnyaneshwar recalls transporting bundles of uski from the hills using bullock carts or carrying them on their heads, a task that was labour-intensive but rewarded with bountiful coconut yields. This method, usually performed in August, was once the sole source of nourishment for coconut trees in his village. Dnyaneshwar recalls that in his village, no one knew of or used any other manure for coconut trees besides uski. “At that time, the payment for this work was merely a few rupees, a far cry from the daily wage rate of Rs 900 today,” he says.
However, Dnyaneshwar regrets that today’s farmers are moving away from such practices, opting for quicker, easier methods like using chemical fertilisers. Despite the Agriculture Department’s efforts to educate farmers about the benefits of modern farming, Dnyaneshwar believes traditional methods are irreplaceable. “The coconut tree is under threat due to neglect, and Goa is now importing a lot of its coconuts from other States,” he rues. He also notes that shrinking coconut sizes are a growing concern, with various theories blaming mobile towers or mite infections.
Dr Maryanne Lobo, an Ayurveda expert from Assagao, affirms the benefits of the uski plant, not only for coconut trees but also as a hydrating agent for humans. Along with uski, Dnyaneshwar also uses the Glyricidia plant, known for its nitrogen-fixing properties, though it is easier to find than uski.
Dnyaneshwar worries about the future of coconut farming, citing the labour involved in using traditional methods as a major deterrent for younger generations. He also points to the increasing dominance of fertilizer companies and the destruction of natural habitats, including the hills where uski grows. “These plants are becoming extinct due to large-scale deforestation and unplanned development,” he explains. As a result, this nitrogen-rich plant can now only be found in parts of Pernem, and even there, it may soon disappear.
Despite these challenges, Dnyaneshwar remains committed to promoting green manuring. He emphasises that using uski ensures a robust, productive coconut tree while enriching the soil in a natural way. As he enters his sixties, Dnyaneshwar urges the younger generation to take up farming and return to natural methods to make Goa self-sufficient in coconuts. “Educated youngsters must get into farming, not just for income, but to preserve a part of our heritage and secure the future of coconut farming in Goa.”