On July 20, Dakshina Kannada MP Brijesh Chowta addressed the Lok Sabha, urging for scientific solutions to combat severe diseases affecting arecanut growers in the coastal and Malnad regions, including Dakshina Kannada. Chowta emphasized the need for comprehensive measures such as disease diagnosis, garden sanitation, and proper drainage systems to eradicate diseases like leaf spot, yellow leaf, and fruit rot. The current financial assistance provided by the central and state governments under the Horticulture Mission is insufficient, he stated. Chowta expressed concern that the fixed unit costs used to calculate this assistance do not account for the varying intensity of disease infestation across regions. He called for the Union Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare to intervene and conduct a scientific study, led by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research and the Central Plantation Crops Research Institute, to support disease treatment and cost coverage. The study should involve the Directorate of Arecanut and Spices Development, affected state governments, and growers’ organizations. Chowta proposed that instead of a one-time subsidy, provisions should be made for disease diagnosis, extension services, and phased disease control treatment. He appealed for a study to be conducted and guidelines to be prepared before the state’s next annual action plan is finalized.
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📰 Source: Vartha Bharati DK