After years of losses to coconut and fruit crops, farmers now fear serious damage to areca nut plantations
VALPOI
After coconut, cashew, mango and banana, monkeys have now started damaging areca nut (betel nut) plantations in many parts of Sattari taluka. In the past few days, farmers from several areas have reported heavy damage to areca nut crops, creating serious concern.
Farmers had turned to areca nut after facing losses in other horticultural crops. Till now, monkeys had not attacked areca nut, and it was seen as a safer option. With monkeys now targeting this crop as well, farmers say their livelihood is under threat. They are demanding that the government stop ignoring the issue and take firm steps to control the monkey menace.
The problem of monkeys in Sattari taluka has grown steadily over the past decade. At first, monkeys mainly damaged coconut trees. Even today, coconut crops suffer large losses, leading to a steady decline in cultivation. Many farmers are no longer interested in planting new coconut trees. Along with coconut, monkeys also damage banana, papaya, mango and cashew crops, adding to farmers’ worries.
Farmers Turn to Areca Nut
Due to repeated losses, farmers began focusing on areca nut cultivation. For years, monkeys did not touch this crop, which led to a rise in plantations across Sattari taluka. Agriculture Department surveys show that farmers invested in areca nut even without subsidies, as the crop has good market demand.
Now, monkeys have started attacking areca nut as well.
Farmers say monkeys climb the trees, damage the bunches, drink the juice and throw away the nuts. This is affecting production and causing fresh anxiety among growers.
Sattari taluka is a major areca nut producing area. With coconut cultivation already declining, farmers now fear areca nut may also suffer the same fate. If this happens, many farmers could face serious financial trouble.
Areca nut grower Mahesh Gaonkar from Naneli said that monkeys earlier damaged coconut, papaya, cashew, chikoo and mango. “Now they have started attacking areca nut trees too, and the damage is increasing,” he said.
Govt Must Pay Special Attention
For over fifteen years, farmers from Sattari and other horticulture areas in Goa have been demanding action to control wild animals.
However, they say the issue has not received enough attention.
Poriem MLA Deviya Rane has raised the matter several times in the Assembly.
Farmers say the government must act urgently and take strong measures to protect agriculture in the region.
