A file photo of coconut trees. Whitefly disease has affected coconut yield in Chikkamagaluru, Mandya, Mysuru, Davanagere, Chitradurga, Shivamogga, Dakshina Kannada, Chamarajanagar, Ramanagara, Bengaluru Rural and Kolar districts.
| Photo Credit: K BHAGYA PRAKASH
Coconut trees on 1.48 lakh hectare in 14 districts across Karnataka are affected by whitefly disease, Minister for Industries M. B. Patil informed the Legislative Assembly on March 14.
In reply to a question by Suresh Babu (JD), the Minister said coconut trees on 64,457 hectares in Tumakuru and 34,530 hectares in Hassan districts were affected by high populations of whiteflies.
The disease was spread widely and affected the coconut yield in Chikkamagaluru, Mandya, Mysuru, Davanagere, Chitradurga, Shivamogga, Dakshina Kannada, Chamarajanagar, Ramanagara, Bengaluru Rural and Kolar districts.
Replying on behalf of Minister for Horticulture, Mines and Geology S. S. Mallikarjun, Mr Patil said that by increasing the natural immunity of coconut trees, pests and diseases, including whitefly, can be controlled. A grant of ₹15.31 crore has been provided under the Coconut Development Board Scheme for integrated nutrient management during the current year. Under the scheme, ₹35,000 per hectare would be provided for a period of two years to maintain the demonstration plots.
During 2023-24, ₹60.33 crore was utilised for conducting demonstrations on 34,617 hectares by 50,612 farmers, Mr. Patil said.
Since the use of pesticides for whitefly control is not very effective, awareness among farmers is being created. On spraying of pesticides using drones, the Minister said drones would not be effective in coconut plantations.
Mr. Babu and Suresh Gowda (BJP) said the disease has brought down coconut yield by more than 50% this year, and prices of coconut are moving up. They demanded a compensation of ₹50,000 per acre of coconut plantation.
Published – March 14, 2025 02:57 pm IST
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