Daijiworld Media Network – Puttur (MS)

Puttur, Jan 2: State government will reciprocate to the difficulties faced by arecanut growers of the taluk. Alternative system will be implemented according to the information given by Dakshina Kannada district in charge and minister for internal transport, ports and fisheries S Angara.

MLA of Puttur Sanjeeva Matandoor brought the plight of the arecanut growers to the attention of government in the assembly session. Hundreds of acres of farm land is lost due to yellow disease in arecanut trees.

Angara said that within the next 10 days horticultural minister himself will hold meeting in the district. Alternative crop will be suggested to the farmers. It is decided to give more stress on inland fishing with special emphasis on local fish varieties like Madenji.

A workshop will be held with experts in this connection. These programmes will be implemented through Pradhan Mantri Matsyasamapada scheme. In addition to arecanut, pearl and fish agriculture will be given more importance.

Yellow disease has attacked once again and destroyed crops over hundreds of hectares of arecanut farms in Sullia, Sampaje, Aranthodu and Markanja. Government announced compensation of Rs 25 crore to the arecanut farmers who suffered losses. It needs to be seen whether the alternative arrangement suggested by the minister will resolve the financial issue of the arecanut growers.