from daijiworld's special correspondent

Panaji, Jun 26: Monsoons arriving early in Goa have come as a blessing with state agriculture department expecting a rise in foodgrain cultivation in this coastal state, which has considerable horticulture and agriculture production.
 
Goa witnessed first showers on May 26 which continued till June 4. These showers were followed by sporadic rains between June 15 to June 22. It started raining again since June 23 and its raining now in Goa.
 
"Advent of rains early will help horticulture and agriculture activity in the state. We expect that at the end of this year, there will be four percent rise in foodgrain production in the state," commented R G Joshi, director, department of agriculture.

The vegetable cultivation is capping  the Sahyadri hill ranges dotting the state's border. Chilli cultivation besides cashew is a main horticulture crop in the hilly areas while sugarcane and paddy cultivation is widely made in other areas.

Sugarcane and vegetables in the hilly areas were tremendously benefited from rains. The early rains have helped flushing of salinity from soil so that farmers could take up sowing activity on time, Joshi stated.

The farmers in the coastal belt took up transplantation immediately following first showers. "Generally in some parts of Salcette and Goa Velha, there is a tradition to transplant paddy early. That's why immediately after June 4, the farmers took up transplantation exercise," the agriculture director stated.

The case of farmers cultivating vegetables in hilly terrains of western ghat made a rosier picture. Sporadic rain period gave them enough time to go for cultivation.

Goa has 1.7 lac hectare land is under cultivation while 1.68 lac hectare is net sown area.