Fruit punch: Spiraling costs keep common man away TNN | May 10, 2013, 02.34 AM IST
Mango Mela today PANAJI: It is not only the seasonal mango whose prices have sky-rocketed, but the rising costs of fruits are forcing the common man to cut them out of his diet. Goa is heavily dependent on other states for its supply of fruits, which keeps the prices beyond the control of local vendors and makes them fickle, fruit dealers said. "Most fruits come from outside the state and the prices are always high when the fruit first arrives. This is true of all fruits and currently it is the case of mangoes. Even in the case of pears, litchis, oranges and apples, the prices range between 250 and 300," said Javed Narangi, 32, a vendor at the Panaji market. Vendors said that every year there is an increase in demand for fruits in the summer because of the change in eating habits which contributes to the hike in fruit prices. Indian varieties of apples cost anywhere up to 140 per kg, while the imported varieties are priced between 170 to 160 per kg. The prices of oranges range from 80 to 120 based on the varieties. "Litchi currently costs 300 per kilo and a musk melon can be bought for 60 per piece. Mango being in season at present, its prices have come down as the season has progressed from 350 per dozen to 250," Mansur Biste, a Panaji-based vendor, said. "The prices of fruits have sky-rocketed over the last few years and are becoming increasingly unaffordable. I have to cut down on buying fruits like mangoes and apples to manage my daily household," said Sajani Rai, a homemaker and resident of Porvorim, said. Maria Fernandes of Mapusa said, "Though the prices are increasing, as a homemaker I have to fit all the grocery shopping in our fixed monthly budget. This is becoming tougher everyday." Sanjay Sabnis, 43, an engineer residing at Bambolim, said that the government needs to keep a check on prices. "The prices of fruits are just not affordable to the common people. The government needs to do something about it. The price of pomegranate was 120 only last week and now it is 130 per kilo," he said. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/goa/Fruit-punch-Spiraling-costs-keep-common-man-away/articleshow/19978911.cms -.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-. Botanical Society of Goa Panaji-Goa Konkan Fruit Fest begins TODAY at BPS Club, Margao Press Release The judging of fruits entered for competition at the decennial Konkan Fruit Fest 2013 facilitated by the Botanical Society of Goa in collaboration with the BPS Club, Margao-Goa was conducted today by Alphonse Pereira, Principal of Fr. Agnelo’s Institute of Hotel Management, Verna, Sanjeev Kadkade , Head of Dept, IHMCT &AN-Goa, Porvorim and Miguel Braganza, Horticultural Consultant. The event will be opened to public by Mr. Arthur da Silva, Chairperson of MMC at 10 A.M. on Friday 10 May and remain open to public from 10 A.M. to 7 P.M. till 12 May, 2013. There will be live music and songs in Konkani by the Square Heads [Johnny and Bushka] on Friday evening. The prize winners for the Fruit competition are: * CASHEW 1 & 2 Anand Pai Raikar, Ponda; 3. Shrihari Kurade, Cuncolim * MANGO A. Malcurada 1.Nina Figueiredo, Aldona-Bardez; 2. Rosy D’Sa B. Nicolau Afonso 1. Mariano Monteiro, Assolna; 2. Shrihari Kurade, Cuncolim C. Kesar Spl. Mahamaya Nursery, Sal-Bicholim. D. Totapuri Spl. Anand Pai Raikar, Ponda * SOUR SOP 1.Laban D’Souza, Nuvem; 2 Zagoti Nature Farm, Bhirondem-Sattari * KOKUM 1&2. Shrihari Kurade, Cucolim; 3. Mahamaya Nursery, Sal-Bicholim * VELVET APPLE 1. Laban D’Souza, Nuvem; 2. Sergio Carvalho, Mapusa-Bardez * JAMUN 1. Mahamaya Nursery, Sal-Bicholim; 2. Saptakoteshwar SHG, Rivona; 3.Shrihari Kurade, Cuncolim * WOOD APPLE/ BAEL Spl. Mrs. Sharad Keni, Cuncolim * ROSE APPLE 1.Marlen Braganza, Caranzalem-Tiswadi 2. Shital Malkarnekar; 3.Gauri Naik, Maneri-Maharashtra and Estevao Paiva * JACKFRUIT 1.Narayan Dhanu Sawant; 2. Sulochana Gawas, Sattari; Krishna Gosavi, Sattari * PINE APPLE Govind Gaonkar; 2. Piedade Fernandes, Aldona-Bardez, 3 Prabhakar Kewni, Cuncolim. A special display has been made of the fruits from Laban D’Souza of Nuvem-Salcete. Mango, Chickoo, Guava, Cashew,Rose Apple, Sour Sop, Lakoocha, Velvet Apple, Rambutan, Melon, and small fruits like Jamun, Carvandaas well as large fruits like Jack, Pumelo, Citron, etc can be seen on display. While Lorna Fernandes has shouldered the major responsibility of getting the venue and the permissions [often a frustrating experience of running in circles between the Municipal Council, District Collector, District Police Superintendent, Fire Officer, Traffic Police, lawyer and typists for the standard badly-worded affidavits], Yogita Mehra and Karan Manral chipped in with the coordination of the participation, designing of banners and leaflets and keeping things cool. Omar de Souza, Dr. Suvarna Fonseca e Antao, Dr. Mini Vijayen and Mr. Vijayen helped in receiving entries and placing them on display. Humility is a quality that only great people truly possess; for the rest there is the ego to nurse. Shriram Dhaimodkar, Dattu Desai and Ananth Hoble helped farmers in their zones to participate... and win prizes. Where the ZAO boycotted the event, farmers still competed and won prizes by finding other modes for sending their entries to Margao. The ICAR-Goa and the KVK-North, Directorate of Agriculture, Panaji, the Goa Food & Drug Administration, Forest Department, and other departments are participating. Stalls have been provided without any fee committed to be paid. Private entrepreneur, some barely twenty years of age, chip in money to sustain the event and the interest of the GenNext in agriculture, fruits and plants. The Botanical Society of Goa has appealed to the people to contribute Rs. 500/- each to fund the event. Some have responded and others will when they see the exhibition. FRUIT PRODUCTS on Friday There will be a competition for processed fruit products (pickle, candy, jam and syrup to cake and wine) on Friday, 10 May.. Entries up to 3.00 P.M. followed by judging. A number of entries have already been received today. There will be on-the-spot competitions in fruit eating and fruit carving on Saturday at 4.00P.M.. A single portion/serving or 200 ml of fruit product will constitute an entry. Larger entries will also be accepted, but on non-returnable basis, unless available after the judging and display. FRUIT CARVING on Saturday Competitors must bring their own materials and cutting tools on Saturday,11 May by 4 P.M. FRUIT EATING on Saturday Competitors must bring their own fruits [watermelon or banana] on Saturday 11 May by 4 P.M. Fruits will be weighed before and after eating in 3 minutes. For further details kindly contact Lorna Fernandes, Yogita Mehra [9960643245] or Miguel Braganza [9822982676]. Miguel Braganza Lorna Fernandes Secretary BSG 2011-14 Organizing Secretary, KFF 2013 -.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-. Miguel A. Braganza, House No.5/4-A Opposite Zonal Agriculture Office & Farm Xettiavaddo, MAPUSA- 403507 Goa. INDIA Ph +91-9822982676; 91-832-2255139 http://www.brittosoba.com http://www.konkanfruitfest.com http://www.pgsorganic.in http://www.ifoam.org/inofo Horticulture. Facilitation. Networking -.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.