30 youth undergo training in climbing arecanut trees

As many as 30 youth are undergoing five-day training in climbing arecanut trees at a residential camp at the CPCRI Regional Station in Vittal.

The camp is being jointly organised by Campco, the ICAR-CPCRI and the University of Agricultural and Horticultural Sciences, Shivamogga.

Prof Manjunath K Naik, vice chancellor of the University, said that Campco had received more than 100 applications, seeking training in climbing arecanut trees. In the first phase, 30 youth will be trained.

No women trainers

He added that as there are no experts to train women yet, the women applicants will be trained later.

Campco vice president Shankaranarayana Khandige said that the training will focus on use of safety gears for climbers. Each trainee will be given a kit with a ‘Kottemane’ (a gear to help the climber position himself while harvesting arecanut), helmet and uniform.

“The training will include tying ropes while climbing trees, preparation of the centre pad, safety measures to be taken while climbing trees, preparation of the bordeaux mixture, spraying fungicides, harvesting arecanuts and demonstration of repair of sprayers,” he explained.

Unemployed youth trained in Theerthahalli are already earning Rs 1,200 to Rs 1,500 a day, said Khandige.

Insurance

“The trainees will be covered under insurance. A certificate and an ID card will be issued to them after the successful completion of their training. In addition, Campco will upload the contact details of the trained candidates on its website to help unemployed youth and areca growers facing acute shortage of tree climbers,” he said.

Kotappa Tirkappa Arjun, a trainee from Gadag, who is a farm labourer in Vittal for three years, said, “My employer asked me to attend the training to upgrade my skills.”

He added, “I have been earning Rs 350 a day as a farmhand. The training will help me earn more as arecanut tree climbers earn Rs 1,500 a day for harvesting and spraying fungicides.”

Somu Neelappa, a native of Haveri said that the training will help him get on a better job and perhaps earn a good income for a decent living.