Coffee plantations in Malnad region of Karnataka has been affected due to the erratic monsoon. With Chikmagalur, Kodagu and Hassan recording deficit rainfall of nearly 45 per cent, the plantations are affected with ‘white-stem borer’ disease.
Karnataka Coffee Growers Federation general secretary H T Mohan Kumar said that production is likely to be affected by 30 per cent this year down to 2.1 lakh tonnes as against the normal 3 lakh tonnes.
“More than 20 per cent of the estimated 1.20 lakh tonnes of Arabica coffee crop is estimated to be affected with stem borer disease and the total production is likely to fall down by 30 per cent,” said Kumar.
As of August 8, Chikmagalur has recorded deficit rainfall of 38 per cent while Kodagu and Hassan recorded deficit rainfall of 47 and 49 per cent respectively.
Chikmagalur, Kodagu and Hassan received rainfall of 743, 853 and 191 mm respectively this year. The Indian Meteorological Department has predicted normal rainfall in the coming weeks.
However, even excess rainfall is a cause of worry for farmers as it would attract Koleroga, a disease caused by fungus in coffee and other tropical plants. It is also noted that the Central Coffee Research Institute has been unable to come up with a permanent solution to the white stem borer pest from the past 70 years.
Also, the Raita Samparka Kendras (RSK) seem to have failed to inform the farmers on time about rainfall.
“The Raita Samparka Kendras are of little help to us. The rainfall prediction which they conveyed was never right,” Kumar said. The cost of cultivation has also increased as farmers have to spend additional amount in pest menace.
The farmers spray Bordeaux mixture fungicide at a cost of Rs 5,000 per acre in May before the rainfall season. This resists the menace for only 45 days and since the rains failed this year in June, farmers have been forced to spray again.
As a counter measure, many farmers are said to have switched to Robusta coffee cultivation, which is more resistant to diseases and pests.
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