2026

Farmers across Dakshina Kannada have expressed concern over the increasing incidence of Leaf Spot Disease (LSD) and Yellow Leaf Disease (YLD) affecting arecanut plantations. Agricultural experts and farmer representatives have called for enhanced research, disease management strategies, and financial assistance to protect one of the district’s most important commercial crops. Arecanut cultivation supports thousands of farming families and plays a significant role in the local economy, making timely intervention essential to minimize crop losses.

The Central Arecanut and Cocoa Marketing and Processing Cooperative (CAMPCO) has urged the Karnataka Government to provide compensation to arecanut farmers after widespread fruit rot disease (Kole Roga) damaged plantations in Dakshina Kannada. Continuous heavy monsoon rains triggered the disease, resulting in significant crop losses despite repeated fungicide applications by farmers. CAMPCO President A. Kishore Kumar Kodgi requested the government to conduct an immediate crop damage survey and extend financial assistance to affected growers across the district.

Farmers in Dakshina Kannada, particularly in the Puttur region, are increasingly adopting coffee cultivation alongside traditional arecanut farming. Concerned about fluctuating arecanut prices, recurring crop diseases, and changing climatic conditions, many growers have planted over one lakh coffee saplings as a long-term diversification strategy. Agricultural experts believe that integrating coffee with arecanut plantations can improve farm income, reduce dependence on a single crop, and promote sustainable plantation agriculture. The trend reflects farmers’ efforts to build resilience against market and environmental uncertainties while making better use of existing plantation land.