Withering tender arecanut worries growers

The sweltering heat has affected the arecanut cultivation in Tarikere taluk.

The tender areca has started withering, creating apprehension over the yield among the growers.

The continuous drought for four years had already taken a toll on the arecanut plantations in the taluk.

Last year, the growers had purchased water from private tankers to water the arecanut trees. This year, water-level in the borewells has started depleting drastically.

"If the rain fails, only God should save us," said farmers.

Narasipura, Vitalapura, Koranahalli, Chakonahalli, Amrithapura, Doranalu, Sunnadahalli, Bairapura, Erehalli, Ittige and other surrounding villlages are suffering from water crisis with farmers depending on private tankers to save their areca plantation.

Arecanut plantations were affected with yellow leaf disease at Amrithapura and Kasaba area last year. As a result, 40% of the yield was lost in the disease. This year, the tender arecanuts have started withering, affecting the production.

Normally, the taluk gets pre-monsoon showers in the month of May. The failure of pre-monsoon showers this time has affected the arecanut plantations.

According to available statistics, arecanut is cultivated on 16,000 hectares of land in the taluk. On average, the yield per hectare is eight quintals.