Feasibility report on coffee cultivation in Karnataka's Dakshina Kannada district to be submitted soon

Mangaluru: Horticulture department Deputy Director Manjunath said that scientists from Central Coffee Research Institute will submit a feasibility report on cultivating Robusta coffee in high altitude areas in Sullia, Belthangady taluks shortly.

A few farmers in Dakshina Kannada district have been cultivating coffee.

As part of area expansion, scientists conducted a survey in the district and are likely to recommend coffee cultivation there, Manjunath said during a KDP meeting chaired by District in Charge Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao.

Once the report is submitted, they will seek funds from the Coffee Board under area expansion to cultivate coffee.

"About 2000 acres of areca plantations in 10 villages including Aranthodu, Thodikana have been affected by yellow leaf disease. As an alternative, coffee can be promoted once the final report on the feasibility of cultivation is submitted," he added.

Guarantee scheme implementation authority district president Bharath Mundodi raised the issue of yellow leaf disease and leaf spot diseases and said that though officials have been emphasising on research to find a solution for past 30 years, no concrete steps have been taken to contain the disease.

Sullia MLA Bhagirathi Murulya also urged the government to announce a package for cultivating alternative crops to those whose areca plantations were affected by yellow leaf disease.

Counselling mandatory

Following an increase in drug addiction cases, MLC Dr Dhananjaya Sarji said that there is a need to counsel students in hostels on the ill effects of drugs abuse.

Psychiatric and clinical counselling is essential for students. It can be taken up as a pilot project in the district as there are many educational institutions and hostels in the district, he said.

Dhananjaya said students staying in hostels suffer from ringworm disease. Thus a visit to hostels by a dermatologist atleast twice in a year should be made mandatory.

In addition, he also urged the minister to direct health department to conduct counselling by gynecologists' for adolescent girl students on personal hygiene.

Vehicular overpass

When MLC Ivan D’Souza sought the status of ongoing works in the Nanthoor area, DK MP Capt Brijesh Chowta said that tender for vehicular overpass was given in 2022.

But the estimate had not included funds for utility shifting. The issue of shifting Miyawaki urban forest near Padua High School is pending.

NHAI officials said that there are issues pertaining to the Kudupu-Bikarnakatte stretch. Many are demanding enhancement in compensation.

About 80 per cent of the land acquisition has been completed for four-laning of the stretch from Bikarnakatte to Moodbidri.