VALPOI
At a time when livelihood of farmers in Sattari taluka is facing a threat from wild animals straying into their farms, they are now faced with yet another situation -- continuous rains over the past eight days have led to a sharp drop in production of areca nuts.
Heavy rains in different parts of Sattari taluka since the last eight days have damaged plantations and among them areca nut cultivation has been among the worst hit.
This has caused anxiety among farmers in Hadode, Satode, Nagargao, Sonal, Nanoda, Poriem, Keri and Khotoda. There is growing demands for compensation due to the losses.
"There has been a 20% drop in production of areca nuts due to continuous rains. This will definitely have an adverse impact on areca nut production this year. Since the last three months, I had sprayed medicines twice to control the situation, but it was no use," lamented Prakash Joshi from Hadode.
Ashok Joshi, another farmer and former chairman of Goa Bagayatdar Association, raised concerns over a drop in areca nut production and said it could severely hit the business of farmers.
"Since the last few years, farmers had to worry about their fields being destroyed by wild animals. We have been pushing the government to declare wild animals like monkeys, bison, wild boars and peacocks as vermin, but the State government is yet to address our demands," said Joshi.
"And now, the continuous rain and the subsequent drop in areca nut production will be yet another blow for farmers in the area. We had sprayed medicines on recommendations of agriculture experts as it would control the drop in production, but it has had no effect on the situation," Joshi added.
When contacted, Valpoi Agriculture Officer Prakash Raut admitted there had been heavy losses due to a drop in areca nut production.
"Spraying copper oxychloride mixed with murchut along with lime is the only remedy to control such an issue. It should be done in June when the rainy season begins and should be followed twice after 15 days. If the procedure is followed, the production is not affected," said Raut. "If after spraying the problem still persists, the cause needs to be ascertained," he added.
At a time when livelihood of farmers in Sattari taluka is facing a threat from wild animals straying into their farms, they are now faced with yet another situation -- continuous rains over the past eight days have led to a sharp drop in production of areca nuts.
Heavy rains in different parts of Sattari taluka since the last eight days have damaged plantations and among them areca nut cultivation has been among the worst hit.
This has caused anxiety among farmers in Hadode, Satode, Nagargao, Sonal, Nanoda, Poriem, Keri and Khotoda. There is growing demands for compensation due to the losses.
"There has been a 20% drop in production of areca nuts due to continuous rains. This will definitely have an adverse impact on areca nut production this year. Since the last three months, I had sprayed medicines twice to control the situation, but it was no use," lamented Prakash Joshi from Hadode.
Ashok Joshi, another farmer and former chairman of Goa Bagayatdar Association, raised concerns over a drop in areca nut production and said it could severely hit the business of farmers.
"Since the last few years, farmers had to worry about their fields being destroyed by wild animals. We have been pushing the government to declare wild animals like monkeys, bison, wild boars and peacocks as vermin, but the State government is yet to address our demands," said Joshi.
"And now, the continuous rain and the subsequent drop in areca nut production will be yet another blow for farmers in the area. We had sprayed medicines on recommendations of agriculture experts as it would control the drop in production, but it has had no effect on the situation," Joshi added.
When contacted, Valpoi Agriculture Officer Prakash Raut admitted there had been heavy losses due to a drop in areca nut production.
"Spraying copper oxychloride mixed with murchut along with lime is the only remedy to control such an issue. It should be done in June when the rainy season begins and should be followed twice after 15 days. If the procedure is followed, the production is not affected," said Raut. "If after spraying the problem still persists, the cause needs to be ascertained," he added.
