Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru

Mangaluru, Mar 10: The areca nut industry is experiencing an unprecedented crisis this year, with production plummeting by nearly 50% due to yellow leaf disease, leaf spot disease, and extreme weather conditions. Farmers across the coastal and Malnad regions are struggling as their plantations yield only half the expected crop, a situation never before witnessed in the history of areca nut cultivation.

In previous decades, fungal and bacterial infections have affected areca nut crops, but this year, plantations have seen an alarming drop in yield. The impact is not limited to coastal Karnataka and Malnad but has also spread extensively to the Kasargod region, where leaf spot disease is wreaking havoc on plantations. Even in areas like Puttur and Bantwal, where leaf spot disease was previously rare, high temperatures have led to crop failure.

Across coastal Karnataka and Kasargod, reports indicate that 40–50% of the areca nut crop has already been lost. In regions where farmers typically harvest three crops annually, this year, they are limited to just one. Some plantations that usually have six harvests are now expecting only three. In certain areas, the situation is so dire that farmers have abandoned the harvest altogether, collecting only the nuts that have fallen naturally.

Areca nut clusters, typically abundant on trees during harvest, have become rare this season. Farmers in Sullia and Beltangady report that extreme heat has caused widespread leaf shedding, further worsening the problem. Meanwhile, the yellow leaf disease is causing significant damage across the region.

Leaf spot disease, which was once restricted to parts of coastal and Malnad Karnataka, has now spread aggressively in Kasargod. Although the disease existed in isolated pockets before, it had never reached such an alarming level. Leaf spot disease has reduced areca nut yields in Kasargod by 40–50% this year. Despite localized efforts to spray pesticides, controlling the spread has been nearly impossible. Barring a few exceptions, most plantations across the region have seen drastic reductions in yield, leading to financial distress for farmers.

In addition to disease outbreaks, erratic weather patterns have severely affected areca nut production. Last year, temperatures in Sullia taluk soared to 42°C, causing premature shedding of areca nut spikes. Even after pesticide application, farmers have seen little improvement. A progressive farmer noted that about 50% of the crop in Dakshina Kannada district has already been lost.

Currently, temperatures in the district are averaging 35°C, with water sources drying up and humidity levels fluctuating between 30% and 41%. These extreme conditions are accelerating the shedding of areca nut spikes, raising concerns about future yields.

Even the limited harvest that remains is of poor quality. Farmers report that newly harvested areca nuts show blackened cores, leading to their classification as inferior grades like ‘Koka’ or ‘Patora’. This quality deterioration raises concerns about future pricing. Farmers are also worried about the availability of premium-grade ‘Double Chali’ areca nuts, as production shortages make it difficult to maintain quality standards. Despite potential price hikes next year, many growers fear that old stockpiles will remain unsold due to reduced demand.

Experts point to climate change as the primary reason behind this crisis. Rainfall in coastal Karnataka has exceeded normal levels by 40–50%, and extreme weather fluctuations have already resulted in a 30% crop loss. A delegation, including CPCRI representatives, recently met with union agriculture minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan in Sagar to push for urgent relief measures.

As areca nut farmers grapple with one of the worst crises in recent history, their hopes now rest on government intervention and improved climatic conditions in the coming seasons.