Severe disease hits arecanut in Karnataka
21-Aug-2025 02:50 PM
Severe disease hits arecanut in Karnataka
★ Fruit rot disease has caused an estimated 50% crop loss in Karnataka's arecanut plantations. According to a survey by the All-India Arecanut Growers’ Association, nearly 95% of farmers in districts like Dakshina Kannada, Udupi, Shivamogga, Uttara Kannada, Chikkamagaluru, Davanagere, Tumakuru, and Kodagu have been affected.
★ Continuous heavy rainfall, low temperatures, and high humidity have accelerated the spread of the disease. Around 84% of farmers could not spray fungicides due to incessant rains, while those who managed to spray still reported an average 30% crop loss.
★ The association and Campco have urged the government to provide compensation and release payments under the crop insurance scheme. As Karnataka contributes 73% of the country’s total arecanut production, the reduced arrivals are expected to support prices in the coming months.