Ponda: The rains may have ruined our roads and created death traps, but there’s always a silver lining in the big picture.
Timely and sufficient rainfall this year has spelt a bounty for the farmers in the country side. The produce has been good and it’s yielding rich dividends for the farmers.
For the buyers too, this is good news, as the prices have been under check, thanks to the abundance in the produce. With Ganesh chaturthi just weeks away, the mood is upbeat for both the sellers and buyers.
Though there is regular supply from Belgaum and other areas, local fruits sold at roadside are preferred by Goans for the taste. The farmers are doing brisk business with different kinds of vegetables and fruits. They have set up shop along the highway and in Ponda taluka areas.5
There are many farmers in Ponda taluka at Priol, Marcaim, Shiroda constituencies who till the hilly areas to earn money in the monsoon. They usually depend on tankers for water supplies, but this year, the rain Gods have been kind enough to open up the skies.
Their crop includes cucumber, ladies finger, pumpkin etc.
With the month of Sravan in progress, there is a huge demand for vegetables and with such a booty, the prices have also remianed in check.
Cucumbers produced here are more tasty than the ones which come in from other states.
However, behind this success story lies a lot of hardwork especially when water is not available on this scale. Also, the produce has to be saved from wild animals. The farmers, however, said the help from the Agriculture department needs to be bolstered further to facilitate them.
