PANAJI
Be prepared to find locally grown avocados in markets and supermarkets across the State in the near future.
In an effort to boost production of avocados in the State, the agriculture department has begun giving a subsidy of Rs 60,000 per hectare.
Speaking to the Goan, Director of Agriculture Nevil Alphonso said some farmers have already availed of the initiative. “The government is providing a subsidy of Rs 60,000 per hectare”, he added.
When contacted, some who have cultivated avocados had said avocado plantations have genuine problems, as the initial investments are high and there are issues with flowering of the plant. Besides, it takes around 6-10 years to get the first yield of avocado.
Avocado saplings are not cheap and each sapling costs about Rs 400 in government farms, while some high yielding varieties of avocados in private nurseries can cost up to Rs 1,000 per sapling.
While the avocado tree normally bears fruit after eight years, there have been mixed results in the cultivation of avocados as some trees have yielded good fruit while some trees have yielded no fruit even after 9-10 years.
“I have a 9-year-old avocado tree but no fruit till date. The tree has grown very high,” said Ivy D’Cruz.
Frederick Noronha said he has an avocado tree which yielded fruits, but two other avocado trees nearby did not.
“My daughter in her school days could easily earn about Rs 15,000 a season, just selling the about 600 avocados per year from a single tree. My tree yields fruits every year in July end and it goes on for about six weeks,” said Noronha.
Some have recommended the cultivation of good varieties of avocados which would grow better in Goan climate and yield better fruit.
