Drought damages 84,656 hectares of coconut plantations in Karnataka; impact may last for three years

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Karnataka’s severe drought has damaged 84,656 hectares of coconut plantations across the State, with officials warning that the impact on the crop could persist for up to three years due to the long growth cycle of coconut trees.

According to the officials of the Department of Horticulture, among all horticultural crops that have surveyed in past months, coconut has recorded the highest crop loss, followed by onion and other vegetables. They said that the impact of this drought would remain for the next three years.

A senior official who spoke to The Hindu said, “As per the instructions of the government, survey was conducted jointly by the departments, including horticulture, revenue, Karnataka State Natural Disaster Management Authority and others, in 124 taluks that are listed in the severely drought-affected category. It recorded that ₹59,259 lakh worth coconut crop cultivated on 84,656 hectares out of 5.6 lakh hectares has been impacted. Recently, more than 50 taluks were added to the list, and we will study the crop loss of coconut in the remaining taluks in districts including Tumakuru, Chitradurga in the next 15 days.”

The official said, “For now, Haasan district is the worst affected as it is the hub of coconut cultivation after Tumakuru, Mandya, Chitradurga, coastal Karnataka and some parts of Malnad region. Around 84,541 hectares of crop loss out of 97,999 has been recorded in Haasan, along with 115 hectares, in Haveri.”

While stressing the pending survey in newly added taluks, the official said, “The crop loss is likely to increase once the drought survey is completed. The total value of crop and the assistance for farmers that will be sought from the government can be assessed after the completion of the survey.”

Shakil Ahmed, Joint Director, Horticulture Department, explained, “Extreme heat and water scarcity affect the flowering and fruiting processes of coconut trees. Whether the drought lasts one year or longer, its impact on the crop is long-term, as the dry spell disrupts the tree’s development cycle, including flowering and fruiting, which can span up to 36 months. It also damages the roots, which fail to absorb water and nutrients from the soil and manure, resulting in a multi-year lag.”

Mr. Ahmed said that the impact will be on farmers, farm labourers seeking jobs, price fluctuations and a large economic impact on the State’s finances.

“Karnataka, which has around 5.6 lakh hectares under coconut cultivation, is second only to Kerala’s 7 lakh hectares. Unlike Kerala and Tamil Nadu, much of Karnataka’s coconut is grown in dry zones. Farmers rely on drip irrigation, but many water sources and borewells have gone dry this year,” the Joint Director said.

Meanwhile, K. Narayan Gowda, former Vice-Chancellor of the University of Agricultural Sciences, Bengaluru, studied coconut plantations in taluks across Mandya, Tumakuru and other districts. “Drought is worsening pests such as black-headed caterpillar, Rugose Spiralling Whitefly and Kappu Masi disease. I have submitted recommendations to the government to help farmers control them. Compensation alone will not save thousands of coconut trees,” Mr. Gowda said.

Mari Gowda, a coconut growing farmer from Hassan district, said, “This year, the crop yield will reduce owing to extreme heat and withering of flowers. For instance, if there are 50 trees in one acre, earlier the yield was 90 to 100 coconuts. Now, it has reduced 30 to 50. In 2023, there was drought and the same impact was felt. I was happy this year because I thought I would receive a good yield after three years, but drought has once again caused misery.”

He added, “White fly, also known as Rugose Spiraling Whitefly, is causing destruction on the plantation especially in Tumakuru. Earlier, it was found in other trees like Pongemia (Honge mara). Since all such trees were cut down, the fly has found a new host which is the coconut tree.”

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