Pests and Diseases Attack India's Coconut Farms

Pest attacks wreak havoc on coconut farms

Kochi, August 16:  Even as 2016 marks a century of coconut research in India, the sector is still fearful about the threat of various diseases. Pests and diseases affected the country’s coconut production (up to June) this year, with output dropping 5 per cent from the 20,440 million nuts produced last year. India’s coconut production, which ranks first and contributes around 31 per cent of global production, has been showing a declining trend in the last three years, dropping from 23,351 million nuts to 20,440 in 2014-15. 

The major villains are root-wilt diseases, which have affected coconut production throughout Kerala and are spreading to the neighbouring States of Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. Besides, Thanjavur / Ganoderma Wilt, bud rot, leaf rot are also impacting output. Price instability is also a major problem, forcing growers to neglect the coconut crop, which is cyclic in nature. Owing to a high degree of price fluctuation, growers are now exposed to economic risks and uncertainties. High labour costs, unavailability of sufficient land suitable for agriculture due to urbanisation and surging farming costs are other factors making coconut cultivation unviable. The average number of nuts per tree per harvest is only eight nuts, which is inadequate to meet even the harvesting charges. And the application of such practices for effective management of pest and diseases at the farmer level is very low.

Personal Reflection
I think the cost of industrial activities should be decreased if we or especially the government want the production of the nut back in live that could encouraged nuts farmers to be more productive. About the pest and diseases I think it was because of the lack of practices of the farmer to be applied to manage the nut trees development or growth. And by that I think the application of such practices should be reminded and applied throughout the coconut yards or farms, so that no pest or disease could disturb the growth of the coconut and the production of nuts would be increased as well.