Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (SS)

Udupi, Jan 4: After the yellow leaf disease affected the areca plantations, growers now fear of a similar disease troubling the coconut plantations.

Coconut plantations are also affected by yellow leaf disease and stem bleeding diseases.

However, coconut growers have not been financially hit as much as the areca growers have due to yellow leaf disease. Agricultural scientists have called upon agriculturists and farmers to take precautionary measures right away to prevent the coconut crops being affected by diseases.

In Dakshina Kannada district, 45,129 farmers grow coconuts in 35,623,68 hectares of land. In Udupi district, 39,834 farmers grow coconuts in 18,919 hectares of land. Many families are dependent on coconut plantations for their livelihood.

Coconut without the shell fetches a price of Rs 28-30 a kilo in the market while coconuts with the shell fetches a price of Rs 9-10. Prices of coconuts with shells have plummeted but copra is sold at a price of Rs 85-90 a kilo. The Centre has announced a support price of Rs 11,000 a quintal for copra.

Farmers of Dakshina Kannada are demanding a similar support price for coconuts.

The Central Coconut Development Board is providing financial support for coconut plantations that have dried up or been infected by diseases. Similarly, financial assistance is being provided to plant coconut trees. Also, farmers growing horticultural crops are getting financial assistance affected by diseases.

In coastal districts, coconut plantations are getting affected by stem bleeding diseases and scientists are suggesting spraying of suitable chemicals to eradicate the disease or its spread.