Daijiworld Media Network

Mangaluru, Aug 5: Arecanut is one of the important crops cultivated in Dakshina Kannada and coastal districts with a good market for the produce. However, the growers of the commodity are facing rising cases of yellow disease in arecanut produce this year without a permanent cure available to treat it.

Although studies have been conducted successfully, the control of the disease is likely to take a few more years.

The price of arecanut has now risen to Rs 400-450 a kilo from the earlier price of Rs 200-220 a kilo due to higher demand for the commodity. With the rise in demand, diseases afflicting the crop are also rising..

Due to copious rainfall received in the districts, growers have not been able to spray Bodo solution on the crops resulting in small areca nuts falling off resulting in lower yield.

Arecanut growers are facing losses in places like Kaniyooru, Madappadi, Sampaji, Paraje, Markanja due to the yellow disease hitting the crop. Despite the intervention and studies undertaken by agricultural scientists from CPCRI, no permanent cure has been found for the yellow disease.

Agricultural scientists believe that growers do not have adequate information about the disease and that the crops do not enjoy strong immunity. They also say that the crops need proper nutrition so that their immunity becomes better.

However, with the timely intervention of scientists and supply of nutrition to the crops, the yellow disease has been controlled considerably. Some small saplings affected by the disease are being transplanted and made healthier.