Farmers rue that cashew season likely to be affected by unseasonal rain

Unseasonal rain and erratic weather have spelled difficult times ahead for Cashew and feni producers in the state who say that without the cool winter season their tress would not bear fruit. The farmers and producers are afraid that they may suffer heavy losses as production would fall by 60-70%.

The low pressure areas over the Arabian sea, has brought unseasonal rain to the state, which has caused widespread damage to crops. Now, cashew farmers are also worried of the loss they would incur.

The cashew tree requires a well – defined dry season of at least 4 months in order to provide the best yield, which is usually the winter season in Goa, says Amol Gaonkar, a cashew farmer in Bicholim.

Where trees would give yield by February, it is now feared they may fruit as late as May, disrupting the Cashew season and eating away profits.