Diseases, lack of rain nightmare for Kadur farmers

Dry coconut trees, dry wells and borewells can be seen in various parts of Kadur taluk in Chikmagalur district. The farmers who are trying to save coconut trees are also in dire straits.

Chikmagalur is one the districts which grows coconut in large quantity in the State. Unfortunately drought like situation for the last two years in plateu region has put the farmers in distress. The drought has taken a toll on coconut palms which depend on rains.
The annual yield is estimated to be 3340 lakh coconuts and the income was Rs 165 crore. However, over 70 per cent of the crops have been damaged and the loss is estimated to be Rs 120 crore, said horticulture department officials.

Coconut is grown on 32,600 hectare land in the district and crop has been damaged in 26,116 hectare land. The yield has withered completely on 25,400 hectare land. Coconuts grown on 716 hectare land can not be revived as well. As a result, the farmers have to depend on alternative crops.

“We were depending on ‘kalpavruksha’ for our livelihood. We had borrowed loans from banks and financial institutions to irrigate the land. However, without water, we could not even save coconut plams. Now, we have no other option but to migrate in search of employment,” said farmers.

Coconut is grown on 24,700 hectare land in Kadur taluk. The average rain in the taluk is 681 mm.  However, the taluk has received only 411 mm rain in 2011 - 12 and 519 mm rain in 2012-13. Owing to shoratage of rain, ‘black headed caterpillar’ has attacked the palm and the trees have started withering.

Horticulture department Deputy Director B G Sampath said, “coconut palms on 716 hectare land has been damaged completely. We have submitted a report to the state and central government in this regard.”“It would be better if the farmers stop growing coconuts. We have stopped any financial assistance for coconut. The government is looking at the possible alternative crops. We are waiting for the release of funds to be disbursed among farmers as compensation,” he added.

A team led by Gorakh Singh had made a study on damage to coconut palms in the district. The committee had recommended that coconut is not economically viable crop in the taluk and has urged the government to help the farmers to grow alternative crops. The farmers must be encouraged to grow tamarind, sapota and guava, the committee had recommended to the government.

Coconut palms have been damaged in Panchanahalli, Yagati, Birur in Kadur taluk, Lakhya hobli, Belavadi, Sindigere in Chikmagalur taluk. Palms grown on 150 hectare land has been damaged in Tarikere taluk.

Farmers have said that the survey conducted by the horticulture department is not accurate in the district. There is a need to conduct scientific survey on the loss.

Coconut grower from Thuruvanahalli N B Sadashivaiah said: “The prolonged dry spell for almost three years has worsened the situation. Small farmers had to work as labourers in cities because  the lack of rain has brought all farm activities to a halt. The horticulture department officials who were supposed to guide the farmers have not visited us.”