Daijiworld Media Network – Mangalore (SM/NR)

Mangalore, Sep 5: Owing to an unprecedented disease hitting farms, the betelnut growers in Udupi and Dakshina Kannada districts have suffered huge loss costing over Rs 250 crore, informed M N Rajendrakumar, president of the South Kanara district Central Cooperative (SKDCC) Bank, speaking to reporters here on Tuesday, September 4.

Rajendrakumar further said that the farmers were suffering heavy losses due to an unparalleled fungal disease that has affected the betelnut farms in two districts. In fact the disease has been so widespread that over 70 per cent crops in the two districts have been destroyed.
 
Both the Union and State governments will be appealed to, announce a compensation package for the affected farmers, Rajendrakumar alleged.

In Udupi district, a total loss incurred was Rs 54.84 crore whereas in Dakshina Kannada the total loss incurred was over Rs 194.85 crore, he stated.

The District Co-operative Central Bank will take the lead in solving this problem of the betelnut growers. The Bank has already sanctioned over Rs 204.68 crore to the betelnut growers, further informed Rajendrakumar.