Panaji: Erratic rainfall and labour shortage have delayed the Saat Shiro Bendo (seven-ridge okra) season in Goa this year by nearly a month, with farmers fearing limited supplies during Ganesh Chaturthi.The unique lady finger received Geographical Indication (GI) status in 2023 and is a highlight of Chaturthi cuisine. However, yields are confined to a few scattered areas this season.Deelip M, a farmer from St Estevam, said he could not cultivate the unique okra this year due to labour shortage and prolonged gap in rainfall, which made ploughing difficult. “The production remains limited, and yields are currently low, as many farmers have not taken up cultivation this time,” he said.Nestor Rangel, a farmer from Valpoi, who helped acquire GI status for the okra variant, also couldn’t grow them this year. “Cultivation in several areas was pushed back by nearly a month due to erratic rainfall,” said Rangel.Farmers cultivating the unique crop fear a shortage during Ganesh Chaturthi, citing rain damage and limited cultivation in a few scattered pockets, with too few farmers engaged in its production to offset any supply gap.“With the festival season approaching, the delayed cultivation and low yields could put additional pressure on supplies if demand rises sharply during Ganesh Chaturthi. The rates may have to be hiked,” said a farmer from Ribander.The Sat Shiro Bhendo features seven distinct ridges instead of the usual five. Last season, the okra fetched between Rs 10 and Rs 12 per pod. The pods can grow up to a foot long, while retaining a tender, non-woody texture.
