Get set for a fruity Goan weekend at Navelim

Want to know more about local fruits and veggies? Does your garden look empty? Do you want to buy some saplings to plant? Well, the Botanical Society of Goa (BSG) has got you covered.

In association with Our Lady of Rosary Church, Navelim, the society is organising the annual three-day Konkan Fruit Fest, its 19th edition, at the Rosary High School Ground, from May 2 to 4, 2025.

Over the years, the Konkan Fruit Fest has encouraged people to preserve and take care of indigenous plants and promote beekeeping.

Daniel D’Souza, President of the Botanical Society of , said that the the fest aims to celebrate and promote fruits of Goa and the Konkan regions.

“The fest will also feature nursery plants, processed fruit products, manures and other agricultural essentials that will be on sale,” he informed.

Over the years, the Konkan Fruit Fest has encouraged people to preserve and take care of indigenous plants and promote beekeeping.

The festival will also have ‘Best Honey Competition’ on Friday, May 2. Daniel adds, “We received a variety of honey at the festival last year. The hobby of is extremely important for human survival. If there are no bees the human race will become extinct because all pollination is done by bees. Through festivals like these we are trying to highlight the importance of bees and also indigenous species of plants.”

Daniel D’Souza, president of Botanical Society of GoaWe will also feature nursery plants, processed fruit products, manures, and other agricultural essentials for sale

The fest will showcase fresh fruits like , chickoo, cashew, carambola, love apple, jackfruit, pineapple, papaya and more. The three days will have a variety of events, workshops and displays. Besides, nurseries will be selling a variety of saplings, plants and species.

“Goa has a wide variety of mangoes which are not identified and are very indigenous. People can bring two-three samples at the festival and experts from various departments will identify the fruit,” informed Daniel, who will be showcasing a unique floral display of indigenous fruits and flowers.

On all three days there will be activities to keep guests entertained and one such event is the processed fruit products competition. Items such as juices, jams, pickles, , chutneys, soufflés, and jellies will be judged. A drawing competition for children and fun activities like a fruit eating competition and guess the fruit weight contest will also be organised.

SUMMER DELIGHTS: Goan summer fruits kept on display at the last year's Konkan Fruit Fest.

The festival is coordinated by Daniel, along with Fr Gabriel Coutinho of Our Lady of Rosary Church, Estella Pires, Secretary, BSG, and Liza Pinheiro, Festival Coordinator. Collaborators for the event include the Directorate of Agriculture, Goa College of Agriculture, Department and other government agencies.

DETAILS

WHAT: Konkan Fest

WHERE: Rosary High School Ground, Navelim

WHEN: May 2 to 4, 2025

TIME: Open to the public from 10 am to 8 pm