VALPOI
In Sattari taluka, monkeys have started targeting betel nut crops, following their attacks on coconut, cashew, mango, and banana trees. In recent days, farmers have reported large-scale damage to betel nut crops, causing significant concern.
Farmers, who had been hopeful, now face growing challenges as monkeys continue to threaten their livelihood. They are calling on the government to take action and address the increasing problem of monkey-related damage.
For the past decade, monkey nuisance has been escalating in Sattari taluka. Initially, monkeys attacked coconut trees, and now the damage to coconuts is widespread, causing a decline in coconut production.
As a result, existing coconut plantations are being destroyed, and many farmers are reluctant to plant new coconut trees.
In addition to coconuts, monkeys have started damaging other crops, such as bananas, papayas, mangoes, and cashews, which has left farmers worried.
Due to the ongoing losses in other agricultural sectors, farmers began focusing on betel nut cultivation in recent years. So far, betel nut trees had been relatively safe from monkey damage, and production had increased across Sattari taluka. Even without government subsidies, farmers have turned to betel nut cultivation due to its growing market demand. However, monkeys have now started targeting betel nut trees as well. In many parts of the taluka, monkeys are destroying the betel nut crops by sucking out the juice and discarding the nuts, leading to significant losses.
This has created an alarming situation among betel nut growers. Sattari taluka has a large betel nut production, and the damage caused by monkeys could reduce production, similar to what has happened with coconut crops.
Mahesh Gaonkar, a betel nut grower from Naneli, expressed concern, saying that monkeys had previously targeted coconut, papaya, cashew, and mango trees, but now they have begun attacking betel nut trees, causing widespread damage.
For the past 15 years, farmers in Sattari taluka and other agricultural areas in Goa have been urging the government to take action against the nuisance of wild animals. However, the government has not yet responded seriously to the issue.
Poriem MLA Deviya Rane has raised this matter multiple times in the Legislative Assembly. It is now crucial for the government to take the matter seriously and address it for the future of agriculture in the region.
