Goa is famous for two things Cashew and Cashew Feni both the products can be sold only with the branding of Goa because people from all over the country believe that this product is best grown and made in Goa. But now the scenario is changing and you will find many Cashew shops don’t even belong to the Goans and doing huge business of selling cashew and cashew products that are not produced in Goa but labelled as made in Goa.
Goa produces the best quality Cashews in the country and there is no doubt about it. According to the reports, The Goa State Agricultural Marketing Board (GSAMB) alleged on Wednesday that poor quality cashew nuts are imported from outside the State and sold as Goan produce.
The chairman of the Agriculture board Mr Velip spoke to media while addressing a press conference. “Goan cashews are authentic and one of the best in the world. However, cheap cashews are being labelled as Goan produce and sold in shops especially along the coastal belt.”
He said that due to the poor quality products brought from the outside state the name of Goan is getting spoiled. He appealed the Government to intervene and stop traders from “spoiling the name of Goa by selling outside cashew under the brand name of Goan Cashew”. He also urged the government to look into trading of cashew nuts without any record and without paying market fees.
Explaining how the Board contributes to the development of agriculture in Goa, Velip said that the revenue generated by the Board by way of market fees, rent and other means is utilised for providing and upgrading infrastructures at various yards located in different talukas.
Mr Velip also put the light on the ongoing development of market yards at Mapusa, Sanquelim, Curchorem and Margao on priority. Besides, he said, the Board is planning to open yards in talukas where there is none at present.
He also spoke about deploying the flying squad to identify unregistered traders and take action against them, he appealed to the farmers and traders to register themselves with the Board.
Mr Velip said that he will be meeting the CM to request him to increase the support price for cashew from Rs 100 to Rs 160 and also support price for paddy. Meanwhile, the Board clarified that it has no power to fix the rate of any notified commodities including cashew nuts.
The name of Goa is already getting spoiled in the other field like tourism and public transport facilities and now the poor quality of Cashew sold by some of the traders who have set up their businesses in Goa will lead to further degrade the name of Goa. There is a serious need to looking into this matter. What is your view on this issue?
Source: Heraldo
Image By David Dewitt
