PANAJI
Despite the reduction in the production of coconuts due to various diseases, the demand for the nut in the State has not changed. In fact, the upcoming Chaturthi festival has seen an increase in the demand of the sacred fruit offered to the lord of Wisdom during the festival, and its usage in making the sweet 'Modak's and 'Panchakhadya' as prasad offered every day.
Goa has seen an increase in the coconut growing area in the last one year. Though the production has reduced due to mite disease, and yet the demand of the nuts is as it is.
According to Agriculture Director Sandip Phaldesai, the coconut growing area in Goa has increased by 99 hectares this year compared to last year, which shows that Goans consider it as one of the trusted traditional crops in the State. The government has initiated several schemes for cultivating coconut trees, and support price is also offered to the fruit. The coconut palm was notified in the official gazette as the State Tree from December 14, 2017.
Goa has around 26782 hectare area under coconut cultivation producing around 12 crore nuts in a year. Last year it was 26683. North Goa area counts to 9723 hectare and South Goa 17059. Talukawise, Salcete producing the largest number of coconuts having the largest area under coconut cultivation “ 6172, followed by Bardes (3059), Sanguem (2746), Ponda (2514), Pernem (2318), Quepem (2223), Canacona (1807), Tiswadi (1788), Bicholim (1564), Marmugao (1306), Sattari (994) and Dharbandora (291).
Varieties such as Banavali, Nanoda, Calangute are produced in Goa. The Banavali coconuts (Pratap variety) are medium in size but the crop is ample and the kernel, copra and oil yield per tree per year is more. Calangute coconuts are large in size.
“We grow coconuts according to the demand in the market. When the demand is low, coconuts can be processed and used in the production of other products for sale. Dry coconuts are used for extracting coconut oil, the husk fibre is used in coir mattresses or for making ropes, shells are used for making artefacts, jewellery, buttons, cups and decorative objects,” said a progressive farmer from Nirankal-Dabal.
In Goa the production of coconuts has reduced this year but the demand is stable, so coconuts from other States are brought in for sale. The amount of rainfall in 2023 was less and it affected the production of coconuts. “And the tree also yields lesser nuts once in three-four years by default,” informed a farmer from Benaulim. As in the Goan homes, thick pulped and bigger coconuts are preferred in the kitchen, the smaller sized fruits are sent outside the State for sale.
