Heavy rains cost dear to coffee growers

The heavy rains and the consequent cold weather has cost dear to the growers as over 35 per cent of the coffee in the region has been affected by rot disease. The beans are either getting ripe or are withering away much before their usual period.

A large number of coffee beans are ripe and withering away in regions of Gonibeedu and Kasaba hobli. The coffee growers had great hopes of a good crop this year since the region did not receive rainfall during June. But the heavy rains in July have washed away their hopes completely. Due to the cool weather caused due to rains, the coffee beans are ripening much before their usual period and are withering away.

In regions like Devavrinda, Mekanagadde, Hosakere, Bairapura, Kumbaradi, Mularahalli, Guttihalli, Kogile, Urubage, Taruve-Alekhan-Hemavathi right canal region, over 75 per cent of coffee crops have been lost due to heavy rains.  Berry borer has too come has a deadly blow to the growers. Now the growers say that the Coffee Research Centre scientists must visit the plantations and suggest steps to control the situation.