Lok Sabha Question No. 5338 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-04-05
Subject: Yellow Leaf Disease in Arecanut Cultivation
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: Nalin Kumar Kateel, Rajmohan Unnithan

## 5338.

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 5338

TO BE ANSWERED ON 05 TH  APRIL, 2022

## 'YELLOW LEAF DISEASE IN ARECANUT CULTIVATION'

## SHRI NALIN KUMAR KATEEL: SHRI RAJMOHAN UNNITHAN:

Will the Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare कृ ष एवं कसान कयाण मंी be pleased to state:

(a)    whether Arecanut, which is mainly cultivated in Karnataka and Kerala, is contributing a significant share of revenue for these States but many farmers in Arecanut growing regions are in distress due to widespread yellow leaf disease affecting arecanut plants;

(b)   if so, the details thereof and the steps taken/been taken by the Government to manage and control this disease;

- (c)    the projects and research work carried out on medicinal and alternate use of arecanut;
- (d)   whether the Government will assure the farming community that it will stand by them; and
- (e)     if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE & FARMERS WELFARE

## कृ ष एवं कसान कयाण मंी ( SHRI NARENDRA SINGH TOMAR)

(a) & (b):    Karnataka is the largest producer of arecanut in India. It accounts for 78.64% production in India.  Kerala accounts for 7.33% of arecanut production in India. Yellow Leaf Disease (YLD) of arecanut is caused by phytoplasma. YLD has been noticed in all districts of Kerala  and  six  taluks  of  Karnataka  (Koppa,  N.  R.  Pura,  Sringeri,  Mudigere,  Sullia,  and Madikeri).  Once infected, the yield starts declining.

The  State  Governments  of  the  Karnataka  and  Kerala  have  taken  following  Steps  to manage and control the disease:

- a. Assisting farmers to adopt integrated nutrient management (INM) and integrated pest management (IPM) for the arecanut crop as suggested  by Central Plantation  Crops Research Institute (CPCRI) and State Governments.
- b. The Government of Karnataka has set up Arecanut Research Station at Shringeri to carry  out  research  on  Yellow  Leaf  Disease  (YLD)  and  to  create  awareness  among farmers regarding management of this disease.
- c. Kerala Government has provided an arecanut package to farmers for rejuvenation of arecanut plantation.
- d. Assisting farmers to switch on other alternate crops like oil palm, Coconut, pepper, Banana, minor fruits etc.

(c):      Arecanut Task force Committee constituted under Karnataka State Govt. has entrusted M.S.  Ramaiah  University  of  Applied  Sciences,  Bangalore  to  study  the  health  effects  of Arecanut consumption and its alternative uses. ICAR-CPCRI is collaborating with medical institutions like K S Hegde Medical Academy (Nitte University), Mangalore for developing value added products utilizing the anti-bacterial properties of arecanut. The Kerala Agriculture University is also carrying out research on the uses of arecanut.

(d) &  (e): Government  of  India has taken various steps in arecanut sector viz rehabilitation/replanting programme and research studies for identifying measures for control of YLD.

Assistance is given under various schemes like MGNREGA, Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai  Yojana,  Sub  Mission  on  Agricultural  Mechanization  and  National  Horticulture Mission.  Bee-keeping  activity  is  encouraged  by  providing  assistance  for  purchase  of Beehives and colony to increase arecanut yield by better pollination and resulting farmers can also get additional income from honey.

At present, the Directorate of Arecanut and Spices Development (DASD) implements frontline  demonstration programmes in association with ICAR-CPCRI to promote multiple species cropping in existing arecanut gardens to augment the farmers' income from unit area. The  Directorate  is  also  demonstrating  the  following  improved  technologies  to  manage  the diseases/pests and to increase the productivity of Arecanut:

-  Promoting technology of multi-species cropping in arecanut gardens through establishing frontline demonstration plots and conducting training programmes.
-  Demonstrating  the  effect  of  the  new  fungicide  Mandipropamid,  in  management  of fruit rot in selected areas of Kerala and Karnataka.
-  Demonstration of integrated management of inflorescence dieback disease in arecanut (with Propiconazole 25% EC)
-  Frontline  demonstration  plots  are  being  established  to  popularize  the  use  of  EPN (Entomopathogenic Nematode) in management of root grubs in Arecanut.
-  Demonstration  of Arecanut Dwarf  Hybrids  to  promote its  advantages  among progressive farmers.