An organic cashew-grower Angelo Barreto from Curtorim, Salcete, was honoured with the ‘Best Farmer Award -2024’ at the hands of the Governor PS Sreedharan Pillai, in the presence of Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, recently at the Raj Bhavan, Dona Paula. The award was given by the Directorate of Cashewnut and Cocoa Development, Government of India, during the two-day National Conference on Cashew “Sustainable Cashew Production: Challenges and Opportunities”.
Dr. Prabhat Kumar, Horticulture Commissioner, Government of India and Dr. Femina, Director, DCCD and Dr. Parveen Kumar, Director, ICAR CCARI were also present during the felicitation of the farmer.
Angelo Barreto, a cashew farmer, on the advice of cashew scientist of ICAR – CCARI l, had started cultivating improved varieties in addition to his earlier local / nondescript plants. ICAR – CCARI initially provided him with the planting material of Goa cashew-1, subsequently by Goa cashew-4, and then Goa-11/6 (Bhaskara). He also practices in-situ soil and water conservation, weed management, and recycling of cashew apple waste as compost. Additionally, he supplies scions to the line department to spread elite germplasm further. He produces around 300 litres of ‘Niro,’ 2500 litres of ‘Urrack,’ and 800 litres of ‘Feni’ from the cashew apple in a season. He serves as a resource person for educating other farmers as well.
ICAR CCARI documented the success story and recommended the farmer for said Best Farmer Award -2024 by DCCD, Government of India.
