MARGAO
Juicy mesh melons and variety of vegetables growing in the hilly and hinterland talukas of South Goa has finally hit the roadsides in the commercial capital.
A visitor to the commercial capital would come across farmers from Quepem and Canacona talukas showcasing their hilly products along the roadsides and traffic junctions for want of dedicated space to market their produce.
In fact, the road opposite the Margao police station resembled a mini-fruit and vegetable market with the vendors, mostly hailing from the Scheduled Tribes communities, occupying every inch of space to market their produce.
Inquiries have revealed that most of the Niz Goemkar farmers mostly hail from the tribal dominates of Barcem, Morpilla, Bendurdem, Pilla and tribal pockets of Canacona.
With rains playing havoc with the crop this season, the vendors say the price of mesh melons and local variety of vegetables is on a slightly higher side. City-dwellers, however, have been seen making a beeline for the much sought after juicy mesh melons and the local variety of vegetables growing mostly in the hilly areas of South Goa district.
An elderly lady vendor Rajshree Gaonkar said she has been coming to Margao with her produce for the last 20 years. “We have been asking the government to provide us dedicated space in the city to sell our produce, but in vain. We have been knocking the doors of the government and other agencies for space, but our prayers have not borne fruit till date,” she said.
Another vendor Kamlavatti from Morpilla village said she is not new to Margao as she has been bringing her produce to the city over the years. “Our produce is being patronised by the people of Margao over the years. We face difficulties in the absence of a dedicated market to sell our produce,” she added.
