Monkey menace in coffee plantations
On the one hand untimely flowering and riping of coffee beans is worrying the coffee growers in Mudigere taluk, on the other hand monkey menace which is on rise in coffee plantations have put the coffee growers to hardship.
With the decrease in rain, Arabica coffee started riping in Gonibeedu, Kasaba and Banakal region. The monkeys which has started entering the plantations have started destroying the beans. The heavy rain which lashed the taluk for the last three days has resulted in flowering of the coffee plants.
“When there is good price for the coffee, we are incurring loss due to less yield,” said a grower.
Akhila Bharatha Krishika Samaja Council member Helekote Ramesh said “we were expecting bumper crop this year. However, heavy rain resulted in the withering of the beans.” If rain continue to lash, then chilly, pepper, cardamom and paddy will also be affected, he added.
