SUSTAINABLE FARMING AND NATIVE MANGO CONSERVATION IN GOA

The movement to protect Goa's traditional mango varieties and revive organic farming practices.

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As summer ripens across Goa, the state's mango trees burst into a celebration of color and fragrance. But beyond the popular Mankurad and Alphonso lies a deeper story one of biodiversity, traditional farming, and grassroots conservation. Today, Goa is facing a quiet challenge: the slow disappearance of its indigenous mango varieties and the growing need for sustainable, chemical-free farming.

THE DECLINE OF INDIGENOUS MANGO VARIETIES

While Mankurad mangoes are prized for their flavor and commercial value, Goa was once home to a wide variety of native mangoes including Hilario, Fernandina, Xavier, Colaco, and Musarad. These varieties, though less known, are highly adapted to local soil and climate conditions, offering excellent pest resistance and unique flavor profiles.

However, urban development, changing land use, and market pressures have led to a decline in these traditional cultivars. Many ancestral orchards have been cleared or converted into real estate, and farmers are often encouraged to grow high-yield commercial crops instead of preserving native species.

THE PUSH FOR SUSTAINABLE FARMING IN GOA