Training to climb areca trees in DK

The Central Arecanut and Cocoa Marketing and Processing Co-operative Limited (Campco) has envisaged a proposal to impart training in climbing areca trees in Dakshina Kannada.

The move has come at a time when arecanut farmers are facing acute shortage of labourers to climb areca trees.

A preparatory meeting was convened to discuss under the chairmanship of Campco president S R Sathischandra on Monday.

He said that areca trees are affected with fruit rot disease in Dakshina Kannada following heavy rain in the district.

“There is lack of skilled labourers to spray bordeaux mixture to prevent attack of the fruit rot disease that is affecting the areca trees. Accordingly, it has been proposed to impart training for the youth to develop a skilled workforce,” explained the president.

Elite group members from Theerthahalli who were a part of the meeting, said that the training is likely to be imparted next month.

The meeting also discussed the place to impart the training to the climbers.

Campco vice president Shankara Narayana Bhat, Adike Pathrike editor Sripadre, Akhila Bharatha Arecanut Growers’ Association president Manchi Srinivas Achar, Horticulture Department assistant director H R Nayak, Dr H Narayanaswamy of University of Agricultural and Horticultural Sciences, Shivamogga, and others were present at the meeting.