Coimbatore: Whitefly infestation is spreading fast again in coconut trees in Coimbatore district. Farmers are overwhelmed over the inability to control this.
Coimbatore: Whitefly infestation is spreading fast again in coconut trees in Coimbatore district. Farmers are overwhelmed over the inability to control this.
Coconut is cultivated in 92 thousand hectares in Coimbatore district, especially in Pollachi, Anaimalai, Kinathukadavu, Sultanpet and Thondamuthur areas. Based on coconut cultivation, various value added products including copra, coconut fiber and rope are being produced.
In 2016, whiteflies infested coconut trees and caused extensive damage.
The whitefly attack that started spreading in the Anaimalai area spread rapidly throughout the district and caused great loss to the farmers. This affected the growth of coconut trees and caused loss of yield.
The infestation, which caused severe damage for 2 years, was controlled last year.
Farmers in Sultanpet, Kinathukadavu and Pollachi areas have reported that whitefly attacks are spreading fast again. Farmers are being forced to follow various methods but the infestation is becoming uncontrollable.
Commenting on this, Tamil Nadu Farmers Association District President S. Palanisamy said," Coconut farming is one of the main forms of agriculture in Coimbatore district. It has been facing major negative impacts over the past few years due to factors such as GAIL Pipeline project, high power tower project, road expansion, droughts and white fly attacks. More than 1.5 lakh coconut trees have dried up in the last few years due to drought alone. Whitefly attack must be controlled. Appropriate compensation should be given to the affected coconut farmers. A coconut tree should be compensated up to Rs. 35,000. Whitefly infestations are especially prevalent on short, tall grafted trees."
He added, "A Coconut Welfare Board should be set up in Tamil Nadu with the Coimbatore District as the centre as it has been done in Kerala. As far as coconut farming is concerned, farmers benefit it in various ways such as coconut, tender coconut, rope products, coconut oil etc. The whitefly attack on coconut is spreading like the coronavirus. As Chennai and Coimbatore markets get a large quantity of coconuts from Coimbatore, the infestation should be brought under control."
He also added that, "Coconut farmers are most affected during the drought. In Coimbatore district alone thousands of coconut trees wither every year due to drought. Coconut saplings should be developed to withstand drought so that the farmers will benefit."