Vanilla crops hit by disease

The Vanilla growers in Sringeri are in a state of despair due to the disease that has hit Vanilla crops in the taluk.

The areca farmers in Sringeri who lost their crops to yellow leaf disease had opted to grow vanilla as alternative crop. The market of vanilla pods was ranging between Rs 80 to Rs 140 in the beginning of this year.

Despite the good price, the farmers could not reap much profit owing to the disease that hit the vanilla crop, says farmer from Koothagodu Gram Panchayat, Hechgunda Venkatesh. The vanilla yield was reduced by 50 percent last year and this year it has seen further reduction.

By analysing the present status of dying vanilla crops, the future of vanilla growers in the taluk appears bleak.