Bumper production of chillies has brought a smile on thefaces of many farmers in the hilly areas of the Canacona taluka.
Rainfall in the last week of September in major parts of thetaluka benefited the chilli crop. The prospect of high yield and demandincouraged the farmers to cultivate the crop in a big way compared to previousyears, informed Canacona Zonal Agricultural Officer Shivram Gaonkar.
“The production of Khola kamatha chilli (monsoon chillies)is gaining popularity among the local farmers here, as it offers better margincompared to other crops like paddy and sugarcane,” said Punoji Gaonkar, atraditional farmer from Aasali.
He further disclosed that Canacona monsoon chillies locallyknown as “kamatha mirssango” are more popular compared to “porsa mirssango”(summer season chillies) and have very good demand in the market for its uniquetaste and colour.
Besides, the monsoon chillies have good market, which arenot easily available accept during the season.
Monsoon chillies is presently sold at Rs 450/ to Rs 500 perkilo while porsa chillies is available at Rs 350/ per kilogram.
According to Satish Fal, one of the local chilly dealer fromChaudi several families have taken to chilly cultivation in the hilly terrains,especially at Gaondongrim, Cotigao, Shristhal, Agonda and Khola and Poinginiumvillage panchayat areas.
“Due to heavy demand and high returns for Khola chilly thenumber of residents opting for chilly cultivation has been increasing everyyear,” said Rajesh Gaonkar, sarpanch of Cotigao.
Some traditional farmers like Janu Velip and Sukto Gaonkarwho resides in Wild life Sanctuary have complained of less production, as theyare forced to take up chilly plantations on the same land year after year.
Cultivation on the same land gives less output due todecrease in fertility of the land.
According to the Forest Act the tribals can cultivate onlyon land they use to cultivate on. They can no longer switch on to new areas,which they use to do earlier.
“Forest officers prevent the tribal people from planting andcultivating in the land traditionally occupied by tribals from generation togeneration,” said sarpanch Rajesh Gaonkar.. Acc
According to Canacona Range forest Officer, Narayan Desai,as per the Forest Act, people cannot cultivate in other parts of the forest,which the tribals use to do earlier.Forest has been declared as Sanctuary
Over 300 hectares of land in Canaconal is under chillycultivation in both forms of productions (rabi and kharif).
