Spice crops in Goa If you think Goa is only a land for mangoes , coconuts, areca nuts ,cajuputs, think again and you will be surprised. Spices like pepper, cinnamon, nutmeg, cardamom are less known products that are grown in Goa, because of suitable climatic for local and international demand. Spices serve as preservatives, nutrients, medicinal purposes and flavouring
These are grown as intercrop in Kulagars with areca nuts i.e. space and shade betweeen big trees and there is no need for separate watering .The areas are around Bicholim, Ponda, Sanguem, on commercial scale and also by small holders. The intercrops are profitable venture, but for shortage of farm hands and nuisance of wild animals, besides Goa Bagayatdar is the sole procurer .Pepper is grown a larger scale .My 2 pepper plants yield more than half kg of black pepper annually. Many individuals in Salcette have these plants including bush pepper, requiring no special care, except shade and support for the creeper Turmeric, ginger, cinnamon, cardamom are other spices too, but lack of support price for ginger, turmeric and easy availability and reasonable price are discouragement for cultivators . Turmeric leaves are a big draw for ~patoles~ preparation .Nutmeg takes 5 to 7 yrs for production and yields 3-5 kg and 10/12 kg after 10 years Black pepper Rs700 /kg, White pepper Rs 830 /kg. Nutmeg Rs 540/kg with mace of nut meg also saleable, cinnamon Rs100 /kg. Nelson Lopes Chinchinim
