Due to the impact of Kerala wilt disease on coconut trees in and around Madathukulam near Udumalpet, distressed farmers have urged the government to take steps to control the spread of the disease.
Tirupur: Farmers in Udumalpet area of Tirupur district are in a state of panic as coconut trees have been affected by the Kerala wilt disease.
Coconut cultivation is going on in large numbers in Madathukulam area next to Udumalai. In order to address the present shortage of labourers, many are switching to coconut cultivation.
Coconuts, coconut water, copra and coconut bats continue to get the right price. Moreover, water scarcity and disease outbreaks are also affecting the farmers.
For the past few years, coconut farmers have been facing a loss of yield due to rocco's coiled whiteflies.
Meanwhile, farmers have expressed fear that the Kerala wilt disease, which has caused severe losses on coconut trees in large parts of Kerala, has also spread to Udumalpet.
The farmers said, the incidence of Kerala wilt disease has increased in areas like Ravanapuram and Karattur near Udumalpet. The middle leaves of the infected trees turn yellow and bend downwards.
Many problems occur, including bud rot, panicle burning, bud shedding, root rot, etc. As a result, the affected trees lose their ability to ripen. Since the disease is spread by planthoppers and glass-winged insects, a few farmers have cut down the infected trees and removed them.
Coconut farmers who are reeling under various problems are at risk of being severely affected if steps are not taken to control the spread of the disease immediately. Therefore, Kerala should take steps to control the wilt disease. This is what the farmers have said.
Coconut cultivation is going on in large numbers in Madathukulam area next to Udumalai. In order to address the present shortage of labourers, many are switching to coconut cultivation.
Coconuts, coconut water, copra and coconut bats continue to get the right price. Moreover, water scarcity and disease outbreaks are also affecting the farmers.
For the past few years, coconut farmers have been facing a loss of yield due to rocco's coiled whiteflies.
Meanwhile, farmers have expressed fear that the Kerala wilt disease, which has caused severe losses on coconut trees in large parts of Kerala, has also spread to Udumalpet.
The farmers said, the incidence of Kerala wilt disease has increased in areas like Ravanapuram and Karattur near Udumalpet. The middle leaves of the infected trees turn yellow and bend downwards.
Many problems occur, including bud rot, panicle burning, bud shedding, root rot, etc. As a result, the affected trees lose their ability to ripen. Since the disease is spread by planthoppers and glass-winged insects, a few farmers have cut down the infected trees and removed them.
Coconut farmers who are reeling under various problems are at risk of being severely affected if steps are not taken to control the spread of the disease immediately. Therefore, Kerala should take steps to control the wilt disease. This is what the farmers have said.