Panjim/Sanguem: Independent MLA Prasad Gaonkar on Wednesday called on Chief Minister Pramod Sawant demanding to enhance the assured price for cashew nuts to minimum Rs 200 per kg, as against the current notified price of Rs 105 per kg.
Gaonkar said that the rates offered by the government, which is Rs 105 per kg, is very less and will have no benefit for the farmers. “Thousands of families’ right from North to South, are dependent on cashew cultivation for their livelihood. This is their only business,” he said.
He elaborated that a large number of families in the rural Goa spread across Sanguem, Quepem, Sattari, Bicholim, Valpoi, Darbandora and other areas solely depend on the annual income otherwise derived from cashew farming.
In a letter to the CM, he said that he is of the firm belief that the cashew growing farmers must get minimum rate of Rs 200 to Rs 250 per kg on raw cashew nuts. He further highlighted the plight of the cashew farmers who are presently reeling over huge losses on account of low purchase price of cashew nuts which hardly commands any income for the farmers.
“Hence, I urge the government to enhance assured price to cashew nuts to minimum Rs 200 per kg from the current season to ensure affordable income for the farmers,” he said.
He pointed out that current market rate of finished cashew product, depending on the manufacturer, is approximately Rs 1,100 to Rs 1,500 per kg or above in case of special organic brand. “Total cost for one kg finished product requires maximum Rs 500 to Rs 550,” he added.
He also explained that cashew farmers are paid a meagre price of Rs. 105 per kg for raw cashew nuts. “Basically one packet of packed cashew nuts requires around 3 to 3.5 kgs of raw cashew nuts and an additional expenditure of around Rs. 300/- per kg towards processing charges. This gives a clear indication that the packet cashew nut producers are earning not less than Rs. 500/- to Rs. 800/- per kg as against gross Rs. 105/- per kg paid to the farmers, “he added
Gaonkar pointed out that the total operational cost on cashew plantation comes to around Rs 70,000 to Rs 80,000 for the farmers, while the annual income of cashew at current market price is between Rs 60,000 to Rs one lakh.
“Cashew is an age-old traditional agriculture occupation and it has been one of the important crops of the State economy for decades and also the backbone of thousands of farming families in terms of annual assured income,” he added further.
He added that it was only fair to demand some subsidy to the cashew farmers on the same lines to that given to the coconut and areca nut farmers in the State. He pointed out that while the coconut farmers enjoy subsidy of Rs. 10 per coconut, areca nut farmers in the state get a subsidy of Rs. 170 per kg.
