HASSAN: Coconut growers in the district, particularly in Arsikere and Channarayapatna taluks (which are noted for coconut cultivation), are a frustrated lot owing to a fall in prices. Growers, who earned Rs. 7,500 for 1,000 coconuts last year, are now forced to sell their produce between Rs. 2,400 and Rs. 3,900 for 1,000 coconuts. The growers are getting a lower price despite a fall in yield.

Neighbouring States

However, according to traders, with the increase in yield in neighbouring States of Kerala and Andhra Pradesh, there is a glut in the market and the price crashed as a result of this.

However, growers counter this argument alleging that traders in Gandsi and Dudda markets of Arsikere taluk are preventing traders from other parts of the State from visiting the market during the season and are fixing prices convenient to them to exploit growers. Growers, who were in distress owing to the "Nusi roga" (eriyophidian mite attack), recovered only recently and were expecting a good price for their produce. They have urged the Government to offer a support price. According to sources in the Gandsi market, the supply of coconuts has come down.

Local traders

Growers said traders from other parts of the State have stopped visiting Gandsi market and they are forced to depend on local traders and sell their produce for whatever price is fixed by them.

Traders on the other hand assert that since there is a good yield in other parts of the State and in neighbouring States traders are not visiting Gandsi to procure coconuts.

The situation is similar in Dudda market. Growers, who sold their produce between Rs. 6,500 and Rs. 8000 for 1,000 nuts, are now forced to sell their produce between Rs. 2,500 and Rs. 4,500.

According to growers, the nuts grown in Dudda are of superior quality because of the excess salt content in the water and traders from other parts of the State are keen to purchase coconuts from here. But despite the quality growers are not getting a good price.

Farmers in Channarayapatna and Arsikere taluks depend mainly on coconut cultivation. Coconut is grown in 61,98 hectares in the district.

Increase in cultivation

The area under coconut cultivation has increased in recent years, with growers getting good price for their produce, according to sources in the Department of Horticulture.

However, with the construction of Bagur-Navile tunnel in Channarayapatna taluk, ground water disappeared and coconut trees started to wither.

The "nusi roga" also affected yield. However, with little respite from the disease, growers are now concerned with the fall in prices.

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