Incessant rains affect coffee, pepper, areca crops

The growers who were thrilled due to the initial rains lashed in March, were disappointed to a great extent due to the heavy rains in July and August. Now, the region is again getting incessant rains shattering the dreams of the growers. The coffee and pepper beans have fallen on the ground in large numbers.
As per the Meteorology Department forecasts, the rains will continue for another 15 days in the same manner.

The berry borer disease is being controlled in the heavy rains. Now, the farmers have to take precautions in order to keep away from new problems, said Krishi Pandita awardee B C Aravind.

Coffee Board member Dunduga Subbe Gowda urged that the State and Central governments and the Coffee Board should announce special packages for coffee, pepper and areca growers to rescue them from the present crisis.
The taluk farmers had experienced much loss last year too due to excessive rains, and they have got the blow again.

Horata Samiti convener B K Lakshman Kumar urged the Coffee Board to conduct a survey of the losses and recommend for proper compensation.