Team Herald
PONDA: Skyrocketing coconut prices have become a pressing issue, affecting farmers, vendors, and consumers alike. Discussions about the sharp price hike are rampant in markets and public places in Ponda, with the price hike being attributed to low production caused by prolonged rains, diseases, and animal interference.
According to sources at Ponda's Marketing Yard, farmers have reported a one-third drop in coconut yields this season. Prolonged rainfall during the monsoon, diseases such as bud rot (locally called Suyaro), and insufficient maintenance of trees have contributed to the crisis.
Farmers face increased difficulties due to the high cost of maintenance and coconut harvesting. Many are reluctant to hire pluckers as their fees often outweigh the revenue from smaller harvests. Vendors, too, are struggling, with reduced supplies from both local farmers and imports from other States.
A vendor at the Ponda Agri Market remarked, “The low production and soaring prices have hit everyone—farmers, vendors, and consumers. The government should step in to provide relief.”
The price hike has significantly impacted household budgets, with the smallest coconuts now priced at Rs 20–25, up from Rs 10–15. Medium-sized coconuts cost Rs 30–35, and larger ones have reached Rs 40–45. For the common man, these price jumps have made daily kitchen staples unaffordable.
Ponda Zonal Agriculture Officer Omkar Desai stated that the prolonged rains disrupted the adequate sunlight needed for coconut trees, leading to lower yields. Diseases like bud rot and nuisance caused by animals have further exacerbated the problem. “Surayo is a reason for the slow death of coconut trees,” he said, adding that the government offers various schemes and training programmes to assist farmers in managing these challenges.
Farmers and vendors are urging the government to take measures to stabilise coconut prices and support farmers during this difficult time. Suggestions include promoting the cultivation of new saplings, offering financial aid for maintenance, and improving disease control mechanisms.