MARGAO: Demanding that the government should put restrictions on importing cashew from other countries, Prakash Velip, Chairman of Adarsh Krishi Kharedi Vikri Prakriya Sahakari Sauntha Maryadit, Balli-Quepem on Thursday stated that their society is in the process of procuring the cashew feni from next cashew season in Goa.
Speaking to the media at Margao he said that the supply of feni, especially produced by local farmers, which has already got state recognition needs to the centralised so that the farmers are benefited.
“We are in the process of taking this initiative but there is also a need to create the market. There should be a market for feni once collected. Our society is working hard towards the concept so that it benefits the cashew farmers”, said Prakash.
He further said that the government should allow the Goan Feni to take it to other States officially.
He demanded that the government need to put some restrictions on the import of cashew from other countries. “In order to benefit the farmers and to give more prices to the cashew, there is need to have restrictions on the import. At the moment large quantity of cashew is being imported, mostly from South Africa for a lesser price. However, it affects the local farmers”, he stated.
According to him, the cashew price in Goa should be a minimum of Rs 140 to 150 per kg, and hence the government should have a policy in these regards. Indian farmers should be protected.
“The society is the highest ratepayer to cashew in the whole world. The organic cashew project is a well-managed project and it stands number one project for its best management and most transparency services. The processed cashews are exported to Germany, USA, Switzerland, Korea, Japan, and Canada”, informed Prakash.
He informed that the society is starting a drive from August 28 to reach out to the members of the society spread in several Goan villages.
The chairman appealed the farmers to come forward for soil testing of their fields. “We have noticed that use of chemical fertilizers has resulted in damage to the soil, and there is a need to do soil testing in order to avoid further damage”, he stated.
He also informed that all the schemes related to agriculture will be explained to the farmers at the time of their drive.
