Lok Sabha Question No. 2593 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-12-16
Subject: Coconut Plantations affected by Kerala Root Wilt Disease
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: Shri Eswarasamy K

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2593

TO BE ANSWERED ON 16 TH  DECEMBER, 2025

## COCONUT PLANTATIONS AFFECTED BY KERALA ROOT WILT DISEASE

## 2593.  SHRI ESWARASAMY K :

Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE कृ ͪष एवं ͩकसान कãयाण मंğी be pleased to state:

(a) whether the Government is aware of the severe outbreak of Kerala Root Wilt Disease affecting coconut plantations in parts of Tamil Nadu, if so, the details thereof, including the extent of affected area and estimated losses;

(b) whether the Coconut Palm Insurance Scheme or any other crop insurance scheme is being implemented, if so, the details thereof;

(c) the number of beneficiaries covered, claims settled, and total funds disbursed during the last five years under the Coconut Palm Insurance Scheme, State-wise and year-wise;

(d)  whether  any  proposal  has  been  considered  by  the  Union  Government  to  strengthen disease  surveillance,  provide  financial  relief  and  promote  resistant  coconut  varieties  in affected regions; and

(e)  If  not,  the  reason  therefor  and  the  timeline  by  which  the  Government  intends  to introduce such interventions to safeguard coconut farmers' livelihood?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE कृ ͪष एवं ͩकसान कãयाण राÏय मंğी (SHRI RAMNATH THAKUR)

(a): Yes, the  Government  of  India  is  aware  about  the  incidence  of  Kerala  Root  Wilt Disease affecting coconut plantations in parts of Tamil Nadu. Root wilt disease of coconut is a non-lethal debilitating malady in Kanyakumari (Rajakkamangalam,Thiruvattar, Kurunthancode  blocks),  Tenkasi  (Tenkasi,  Kadayanallur,  Kadayam,  Shencottah  blocks), Theni (Cumbum, Uthamapalayam blocks) and Coimbatore (Pollachi North, Pollachi South, and  Anaimalai  blocks)  districts  in  Tamil  Nadu.  About  15%-19%  disease  incidence  was reported from Coimbatore district, Tamil Nadu and the disease is known to the region since 1980.

(b) & (c): The Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare through Coconut Development Board (CDB) in association with State Government and Agriculture Insurance Company of India, is implementing crop  Insurance  scheme for coconut  palms - Coconut Palm Insurance Scheme, to insure coconut palms against natural and other perils with a view to compensate the farmer in case of loss/death of palms.

The scheme is being implemented in major coconut growing states through Agriculture Insurance Company and concerned State Governments provisions furnish are as under:

| Palms under age group   | Sum Assured per palm(Rs)   | Premium per palm (Rs)   | CDB Share per Palm (Rs)   | State Share Per palm (Rs)   | Farmer Share per palm (Rs)   |
|-------------------------|----------------------------|-------------------------|---------------------------|-----------------------------|------------------------------|
| 4 -15 years             | Rs. 900.00                 | Rs. 9.00                | Rs 4.50                   | Rs. 2.25                    | Rs. 2.25                     |
| 16- 60 years            | Rs. 1750.00                | Rs. 14.00               | Rs 7.00                   | Rs. 3.50                    | Rs. 3.50                     |

Under  the  scheme,  in  Tamil  Nadu,  in  the  last  five  years,  446  farmers  have  been insured and total claim of Rs. 1,16,678/- has been paid to the 12 farmers.

Further, a weather index based Restructured Weather Based Crop Insurance Scheme (RWBCIS)  from  kharif  2016  to  provide  financial  support  to  farmers  suffering  from  crop loss/damage arising out of natural calamities, adverse  weather incidence and to stabilize the  income  of  farmers  etc.  It  is  mentioned  that  coconut  plantation  is  covered  under RWBCIS but State Government of Tamil Nadu is not implementing the scheme (RWBCIS) from last five years.

(d) & (e): Yes, the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare through its 47 Central Integrated Pest Management Centres (CIPMCs) & Locust-cum-CIPMCs (LCIPMCs) across the country, conducts regular survey to assess the pest situation, promotes Integrated Pest Management (IPM) techniques  to  prevent  non-judicious  use  of  chemical  pesticides.  The CIPMC  in  Trichy,  Coconut  Research  Station-Aliyarnagar  (TNAU),  a  coordinating  centre under  All  India  Coordinated  Research  Project  on  Plantation  Crops,  ICAR-  CPCRI  are systematically monitoring the spread of the root (wilt) disease to ensure early detection and appropriate management in Tamil Nadu.

Further, an expert Committee comprising of members from CDB, ICAR-CPCRI, Dept. of  Horticulture  and  Plantation  Crops-Govt.  of  Tamil  Nadu,  ICAR-National  Bureau  of Agricultural  Insect  Resources  (NBAIR),Tamil  Nadu  Agricultural  University  (TNAU)  was formed  to  address  the  issues  in  coconut  production  sector  and  to  evolve  management strategies with special focus on root (wilt) disease in Tamil Nadu. As recommended by the expert Committee,mapping of the root (wilt) affected areas in Tamil Nadu is completed and measures  taken  for  containment  and  eradication  of  the  disease.  CDB  implemented  the scheme - Replanting and Rejuvenation  in an area  of  27361.61  ha  by  utilizing  Rs.134.86

crores during the last 10 years. CDB established one of its farm in Dhali village, Udumelpet in Tiruppur District, Tamil Nadu  for  ensuring  production  and  distribution  of  quality  coconut  seedlings  to  farmers. During  the  last  10  years,  7.34  lakh  seedlings  were  produced  and  distributed  to  farming community in Tamil Nadu. CDB has also assisted for production of 65.81 lakh seedlings by utilizing the existing infrastructure available with the State Government. During  the  year  2025-26,  an  amount  of  Rs.  38.98  crores  has  been  allocated  for various schemes in Tamil Nadu of which an amount of Rs. 12.91 Crores was allocated for implementing  the  scheme-Productivity  Improvement  through  Coconut  Based  Cropping System  in  5000  ha  and  Rs.15.20  crores  for  implementing  Replanting  and  Rejuvenation scheme in  2000  ha,  Rs.6.85  crores  for  Expansion  of  Area  under  Coconut  and  Rs.  4.02

crores has been allocated for implementing other on-going schemes of the Board.

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