500 fires destroyed 330ha cashew plantations since 2021: Govt stats

Goa’s cashew farmers are facing a crisis due to frequent accidental fires, which have ravaged nearly 330 hectares of orchards since 2021-22. The state government disbursed approximately Rs 2 crore in compensation, but leased orchard bidders are excluded. Despite a slight increase in cashew cultivation area, farmers grapple with volatile pricing and criticize the lack of effective fire prevention measures.