A delegation of elected representatives from the district met Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa in Bengaluru recently and requested for release of compensation for arecanut growers who have suffered losses owing to the rain and flood.
Speaking on the occasion, H. Halappa, Sagar MLA, said that arecanut crop on more than 13,000 hectares in the district was infected with fruit rot , also known as kole roga, caused by excess moisture content. Arecanut palms in the district were exposed to heavy rain from August 1 to 15 owing to which they have been infected. Premature dropping of tender nuts and flowers has been reported in infected plantations, he said.
Araga Jnanendra, Tirthahalli MLA, said that as intermittent rain continued to lash Malnad region, farmers were not able to spray the copper sulphate mixture used to control the disease. The loss is likely to increase in the coming days, he said. Referring to the accumulation of silt in arecanut plantation owing to the floods, he requested financial assistance to clear up the same.
Elected representatives reminded Mr. Yediyurappa that when arecanut growers in the district had suffered similar losses due to kole roga in 2013, the State government had released ₹24 crore as special compensation. They requested the announcement of special compensation on the same lines. Mr. Yediyurappa assured the delegation that he would take a call on the issue after having a discussion with officials of Revenue and Horticulture departments.
