CAMPCO & ARDF jointly organised a Symposium on Areca Plant Disease Management with special reference to Yellow Leaf Disease and Leaf Spot Disease recently in Mangalore. H M Krishna Kumar, Managing Director, CAMPCO in his brief about the Symposium explained the hardships faced by the affected farmers and the need for finding a solution.
Eminent Scientists from DASD, CPCRI, University of Agricultural Sciences Naville, Shivamogga along with Progressive Farmers including the affected Farmers, Cooperatives like MAMCOS, TSS, TUMCOS, Areca Societies Federation, Shivamogga and Former Presidents and Vice Presidents and the Board of Management of CAMPCO attended the event.
Dr. Homey Cherian, Director, Directorate of Arecanut & Spices Development who is also the Member of the Scientific Committee led the discussions with the Scientists presenting the status of YLD. He explained that a solution could be found and Research could be carried out by the Scientists for which he would seek relevant support from the Government.
An interface between the farmers and scientists was held wherein the farmers explained their situation and suggested measures to be taken by the Government and Cooperative Organisations. The farmers thanked CAMPCO for having organised the Symposium and requested CAMPCO and other Cooperatives to mediate on their behalf with the Union and State Governments. They suggested scientists should involve the affected farmers for their expertise and practical knowledge while conducting Research.
The august gathering after holding deep discussions, being aware of the intensity of the situation decided to entrust the responsibility of speeding up the work and taking all adequate measures for finding a solution through the Scientific Committee nominated by the MoS for Agriculture & Farmers Welfare to study and address the issue of YLD in Arecanut in Karnataka and other States.
A.Kishore Kumar Kodgi, President, CAMPCO on behalf of the Areca fraternity profusely thanked Ms Shobha Karandlaje, Minister of State for Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, Govt. of India for having appointed a Committee for developing strategies to address the issue of YLD.
Kodgi informed that through the Scientific Committee a solution could soon be found and thereby putting an end to the hardships faced by the affected farmers.
CAMPCO had already represented to the Govt. of India for the Minimum Import Price. Dr Homey Cherian urged the commerce minister to recommend Rs.360/- as the Cost of Production of Arecanut to the Government of India.