Team Herald
PONDA: In a major initiative aimed at encouraging local farmers and increasing agricultural income, the government agriculture farm at Codar-Ponda, has successfully transformed a vast rocky area into flourishing plantations of high-yielding fruit-bearing trees. These include grafts of mango, jackfruit, cashew, areca nut, and others.
The objective is to propagate grafted saplings and distribute them to Goan farmers, thereby encouraging a return to agriculture while boosting their earnings. Alongside this, the Agriculture Department is working to introduce new technologies, offer subsidies, and provide expert guidance.
Addressing the media, Agriculture Director Sandeep Faldesai, Codar Farm Superintendent Rajesh D’Costa, and Mandar Shirodkar detailed the progress. Faldesai stated that Codar Farm spans 110 hectares, much of which was once rocky and overgrown. “With support from Agriculture Minister Ravi Naik, we aimed to develop Codar as a model farm,” he said.
“Developing the rocky area was a challenge. We dug pits, broke rocks and developed plots for a variety of plantations,” Faldesai added. “We have now developed 4.5 hectares—approximately 45,000 square metres—for mango cultivation. In this area, we have planted 126 mango varieties, including 55 local Goan varieties.”
He noted that over the past few years, the Agriculture Department has organised mango exhibitions and awarded prizes for the best Goan varieties. “We collected and grafted these prize-winning types. Today, 55 local Goan mango varieties are preserved and growing on the farm. In addition, we have 30 exotic mango varieties, 23 hybrid varieties, and 18 Indian varieties. These are now nearly two years old.”
Among the exotic varieties are mangoes with low sugar content and vibrant colours—ideal for diabetic consumers. Hybrid mangoes were chosen keeping in mind Goa’s changing climate.
Faldesai also highlighted the plantation of cashew grafts over a 7-hectare area (70,000 square metres), featuring 14 varieties, including Jamubvan from Tamil Nadu. “Some cashew seeds weigh up to 30 grams. We are also offering guidance on pest and stem borer control. Currently, 53,000 farmers have registered for various schemes under the Krishi Card,” he said.
Jackfruit grafting was carried out over the last two years on 1.5 hectares of land, involving 38 varieties—both exotic and Indian. “Wild bison posed a major challenge, but we overcame it,” Faldesai said. “Some jackfruit trees begin bearing fruit within two years, while others take up to five.”
Codar Farm has also undertaken infrastructural developments, including new farm roads, drip and sprinkler irrigation systems, and the introduction of hybrid varieties of guava, areca nut, nutmeg, and dragon fruit.