MARGAO
He tasted a bad experience with his previous forays into watermelon cultivation after pests
invaded and destroyed his crop last year. But this young farmer from Seraulim in Salcete seems to have left behind this bitter past to make way for a new beginning this year.
And, the success is there for everyone to see. Indeed, after sustaining losses a year ago, smiles have
once again lit up the face of Camilo Ferrao this year as his forays into watermelon cultivation have
registered a moderate to good yield of watermelons this year. Camilo has already harvested a tonne
of juicy watermelons so far, and is bracing to harvest around two tonnes from his field in his
native village Seraulim.
“Yes, I am happy that my hard work in the fields has borne fruit. I ventured into watermelon
cultivation three years ago, and posted a good harvest in the first year, before the pests
destroyed the crop last year,” Camilo told The Goan.
This young agriculturist, who is also into cultivation of chillies and lady fingers, informs that these two items are already sold out to the Horticultural Corporation. Camilo, however, is worried over
the marketing and sale of watermelons. He said he had approached the Horticulture Corporation to procure his produce, but is yet to receive an order from the officials.
“I have sold the watermelons in the village so far, but I want the Horticulture Corporation to procure my produce so that the government is made aware that we local farmers can also do something,”
Camilo said.
He added, “I am worried about the marketing of my remaining two tonnes of watermelons since the Horticulture Corporation doesn't appear to be keen in buying the large-sized watermelons,” he said.
Camilo had knocked the doors of Margao Zonal Agriculture Officer, D Pandit, to seek the
intervention of agriculture officials to work out a solution to the problem of marketing.
Says Pandit, "I have drawn the attention of my Agriculture Director, Ulhas Pai Kakode, who has agreed to take up Camilo’s problem of marketing the watermelons with the Horticulture Corporation,” Pandit told The Goan.
Meanwhile, when The Goan called up Horticulture Corporation Director Larry Barretto to shed
light on the matter, he said the Corporation has even procured watermelons from Canacona,
adding that his officials will have no issue in procuring the produce from any part of Salcete.
Barretto, however, hastened to add that the Corporation normally procures large-sized
watermelons for the simple reason that customers only prefer smaller ones.
“Customers usually prefer watermelons that range between 2Â-3 kgs. That’s the reason the Corporation is hesitant to procure watermelons that weigh beyond 3 kgs,” Barretto added.
Camilo is keeping his fingers crossed as he braces to harvest the watermelons, approximately
around two tonnes. If the Corporation does not bail him out of the marketing situation, he says
he will have no option than to sell the produce in his village.
