Black head pest worries farmers
The dept of horticulture has produced about 1.6 mn microbes that feed on pests
The coconut growers in the district are left in lurch after the black head pest attack on the coconut crop. Coco crop spread across at least 2500 hectares have been infested with the pest reducing the quality of the crop.
The pest attack which began few years ago has covered a majority of the coconut growing area in the region. Due to the attack, the coco yield has come down in the last few years.
The coconut growers are facing a serious set back following pest attack as size of yield has decreased considerably. The black pest make the coco leaves hollow and brittle making it wither. If the pest is not controlled in the initial days, it has the capacity to reduce the whole farm to a group of pale and dry coco trees. Any infest to an entire farm can also affect the neighbouring crop and farm in the region.
According to statistics, the district has a total coco crop spread about 11,365 hectares – Chamarajnagar (7,274 hectares), Gundlupet (2,676),. Kollegal (735 hectares) and Yalandur (680 hectares). Out of the total area, 2500 hectares of coconut crop have fallen to the pest attack. Though, the pest is known to attack the crop during summer, the vast spread of the disease has shocked the farmers and agricultural authorities. And, many farmers who have maintained their farm free from the pest are also worried.
“I maintained my farm with all precautions. But, the pests are affecting my coco trees from the neighbouring farm. The horticulture department should act and create awareness among the farmers,” rues farmer Mahadevappa.
When contacted, B R Girish, deputy director of horticulture department told Deccan Herald
that the department was aware of the problem faced by the coconut growers. “The department has produced about 1.6 million microbial organisms which can feed on the pests. These microbes will be distributed freely among farmers. The 1.6 million microbes can only protect about 100 hectares of crop. Production of each microbe costs 12 paise for the department,” he said.
The pests can also be controlled by other organic method through pouring neem oil on the coconut plants. The department provides Rs 400 subsidy on the purchase of neem oil per acre of crop, he informed.
