Shivamogga MP B.Y. Raghavendra highlights plight of areca growers in Parliament, seeks Centres intervention

Shivamogga MP B.Y. Raghavendra, raised issues concerning areca growers of Karnataka in the Lok Sabha and sought the intervention of the Union Government for the benefit of the growers, particularly those in the Malnad region who suffered huge losses due to diseases.

Raising the issue on December 4 during Zero Hour, Mr. Raghavendra said that the yield in areca plantations had come down drastically due to the yellow-leaf disease (YLD) and leaf spot disease (LSD). The impact of the diseases intensified due to the heavy rains this year, affecting the financial condition of growers.

He highlighted the shortcomings in the weather-based crop insurance scheme due to which the growers were denied rightful compensation for the losses in the kharif season of 2024-25. “Nearly 50% of rain gauges in the district have remained defunct. The insurance assessment was technically flawed due to the lack of a system for accurate rainfall data,” he stated.

He urged the Agriculture Ministry to intervene and direct the government of Karnataka to recalculate the compensation based on data collected from the nearest functioning weather station. He also demanded a special assistance package for the growers.