Worms ravage watermelon plantations in Verna, Nagoa, Majorda and Utorda

Team Herald

MARGAO: Monetary compensation has been assured by the government to the farmers in Verna and Nagoa whose watermelon plantations have been destroyed by worms. 

In this regard, Agriculture Minister Chandrakant Kavlekar met the affected farmers on Friday and assured to immediately quantify the loss of due to parasite attack and compensate the farmers for their loss.

Nearly 500 farmers from Verna, Nagoa, Majorda, Utorda and conjoining agricultural lands have been affected due to the worm. Large tracts of lands which were cultivated by these farmers organically have been ravaged by this worm. This being the only source of livelihood for the farmers they are staring at a total loss cultivation season.

Farmer Maria Mendes is one of the hundreds affected due to the worm outbreak. She explained that the worms are few in the beginning and if unattended they multiply to hundreds which eat up the upper skin of the melon making it white in colour and inedible and a not a good fruit for sale. "For ages we grow these melons organically without any chemical treatment which make them so unique. However, the nature hasn't been kind to us this time spoiling large tracts of ready melon cultivation overnight," said Maria.

Dumiana Menezes said that now there is a fear that the subsequent crop of alsande (cluster beans) will also be eaten up and that has already started in some fields.

The Agriculture Minister Chandrakant Kavlekar along with the entire Agriculture Team inspected the ravaged crops. Nuvem MLA Wilfred D'sa had requested the Minister to come and have a look at the condition of the crop. Agriculture Department team has been camping at the site inspecting the phenomenon for the last 3 days but haven't sadly been able to find the root cause of the outbreak.

Agriculture Minister said, "The watermelon farmers have for the first time faced an entire crop loss. I have directed my ZAO and Agriculture officials to inspect thoroughly the entire phenomenon" said Minister. "I have asked the Agriculture Director to move a note immediately and get help to the farmers from the Farmer Support fund," he said.

"The reason for the phenomenon will definitely be definitely investigated but will give priority to giving financial aid to farmers first," added Kavlekar.

The Agriculture Minister said that it will take some time to quantify the cost of the watermelon plantation per acre and then decide the support price as this is for the first time this has happened.