May 20, 2024 | Times of India |
At the Goa Mango Fest, Director of Agriculture Neville Alphonso emphasized the urgent need for adopting new technologies and training farmers to combat the adverse effects of climate change on mango cultivation. He highlighted that off-season rains, insufficient winter cold, and delayed flowering have reduced mango production. Alphonso praised the Germplasm Bank at ICAR-CCARI for preserving many mango varieties, noting that only a few are commercially cultivated in Goa. He urged promoting Goan mangoes and value-added products to maximize their potential. Over 1,000 farmers participated, showcasing 75 mango varieties and 350 byproducts. Chief Minister Pramod Sawant stressed the importance of value addition and collaboration to address declining mango and cashew yields, while Agriculture Minister Ravi Naik announced plans to distribute saplings to encourage horticulture crop cultivation.