MARGAO
The All Goa Toddy Tappers Association on Tuesday said the government should support to keep alive the tradition by setting up a Board on the lines of Kerala and train youngsters in toddy tapping.
In fact, a second-generation toddy tapper Charles D’Silva has said there is not even a subject with the agricultural department to impart training on toddy tapping and how to distil Coconut feni.
At a media briefing called by the Association president Remy Borges, general secretary Anthony Rodrigues and others, Charles pointed out that toddy tapping is an art that should be taken up by the youngers. “Tapping a tree is an art. Today, I produce quality coconut feni. But, the problem lies in the fact that coconut feni is not marketed by the government. In a bar, we can see all sorts of whisky. But, today the colour liquor is out of fashion. Instead, everyone is now looking for white liquor”, he said.
He said one way the government can help keep alive the tradition is by providing support to the Association in training farmers to be toddy tappers. “Kerala has a coconut Board, which undertakes the activities of training of farmers. We could have a board on similar lines”, he said.
Association president Remy said the Association had asked the government to support the farmers by providing hybrid coconuts to revive the tradition. “The Association is grooming youngsters to take up the traditional occupation. Charles D’Silva was a seaman, but he has taken to toddy tapping during the Covid pandemic”, he said.
Remy and other members have made a fervent plea to the members to unite for a good cause and not to destroy the Association.
Benaulim resident Royla Fernandes, who is an architect by profession, said she is proud to be hailing from the toddy tapping family. She has appealed to all the members to sink their differences and unite for the common good of the community.
