Tag Archives: South Kodagu

Stalk rot disease haunts coffee estates across South Kodagu

Agriculture, Coffee News, , , , , ,

In South Kodagu, the rainfall has receded and the region is exposed to some sunlight, resulting in an increased number of estates recording stalk rot disease.

Wild animals are allowed to feed and breed in some coffee estates of Chikamagaluru district | Express
For representational purpose only | EPS

Madikeri:

Several coffee estates across Kodagu are already facing the brunt of monsoons and changing weather patterns. The coffee plantations, especially in the South Kodagu region, are showing severe signs of stalk rot disease and the coffee growers are worried.

“The stalk rot disease usually affects the coffee plants during mid-monsoons – especially in August, when the rainfall gets heavy. However, the coffee stalks and coffee beans are rotting at the beginning of monsoons this year,” shared Devaiah, a grower in the Srimangala belt of South Kodagu.

Several crops across the coffee estates are affected by rotting disease and controlling the spread of the disease amidst the bad weather condition has become a herculean task to the growers. Amidst the increased loss of yield due to wildlife conflict, the spread of the rotting disease is adding more woes to the growers’ troubles.  

While stalk rot disease is an age-old condition that has been affecting coffee plants – especially the Robusta variety of coffee– the cases of the disease spreading have increased invariably in the recent past. Changing weather patterns is concluded as one of the reasons for the increased spread of the disease, as George Daniel, DD of Chettalli Coffee Board explained, “Weather conditions play an important role in the spread of stalk rot disease. The soil will have increased moisture content during monsoons. When this moisture is exposed to even little sunlight, it gives a perfect ground for the mushrooming of anthracnose fungus – which causes the stalk rot disease.”

In South Kodagu, the rainfall has receded and the region is exposed to some sunlight, resulting in an increased number of estates recording stalk rot disease.

“At first, just one or two coffee cherries will start to rot. within a day, the entire plant gets affected. It is important that the affected parts of the plants are immediately cut off and buried under the soil to prevent further spread of the endemic,” added George. He analyzed that estates that have reported stalk rot in the previous years are more prone to the disease.

He suggests that the growers spray Opera Fungicide – One ml of the fungicide mixed with One liter of water – to curb the disease spread. “The mixture must be sprayed when rain takes a break,” he added. Further, it is important that growers carry out pre-preparations for monsoons as spraying 0.5% Bordeaux mixture would help curb the growth of fungus in monsoons.

“The Robusta variety of plants is highly affected by the disease. However, Arabica varieties too are prone to the disease. Sanitation work of the plantation including pruning of the crops, reduction of shade, proper lighting and air circulation plays an important role in preventing stalk rot disease in plantations,” he said.

Coffee berries begin to drop following infection from stalk rot disease.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> States> Karnataka / by Express News Service / July 27th, 2023

Kodagu: Paddy cultivation takes a back seat owing to weather changes and wildlife conflict

Agriculture, Business & Economy, Green Initiatives / Environment, , , , , , ,

Several farmlands in South Kodagu have been abandoned owing to bad weather conditions and the increased movement of wild elephants.

Image used for representational purpose.

Madikeri:

Paddy cultivation in the district is receding compared to yesteryears as farming is yet to pick up pace this monsoon. Changing weather conditions, natural disasters and increased wildlife conflict are other factors affecting paddy cultivation. It is said that only 48 hectares of land have been cultivated with paddy. 

Over six years ago, nearly 35,000 hectares of farmlands across Kodagu were cultivated with paddy crops. But, the extent of the cultivation has diminished over the years as the target for paddy cultivation has now been reduced to 30,500 hectares by the agriculture department.

“The increasing wildlife conflict can be seen as one of the reasons for the farmers to give up paddy cultivation in several farmlands in the district. Further, many farmers have also taken to the cultivation of horticulture crops. Increased conversion of farmlands to areca nut estates has reduced paddy cultivation,” opined Shabana Sheikh, the Joint Director of the Agriculture Department.

A total of 23180 hectares of farmland was cultivated with paddy achieving a target of 76% last year. Over 384 hectares suffered crop loss due to rainfall last year. 

The farmers of South Kodagu have increasingly given up paddy cultivation. Out of the 14000 hectares of targeted cultivation, only 9960 hectares were cultivated for paddy last year. Several farmlands in South Kodagu have been abandoned owing to bad weather conditions and the increased movement of wild elephants.

With monsoons delayed in the region this year, the paddy transplantation work is yet to pick up pace in the district. In Madikeri taluk, only 40 hectares of farmlands have recorded paddy transplantation work to date this year. Meanwhile, eight hectares of farmland have witnessed paddy transplantation in Somwarpet taluk. Nevertheless, as per the data recorded by the department, no farmlands have yet been cultivated for paddy due to delayed rains across South Kodagu including in Virajpet and Ponnampet taluks.    

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> States> Karnataka / by Express News Service / July 11th, 2023

Afforestation in Kodagu gets boost with Forestry College’s initiative

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While 70% of saplings are that of native trees, 30% are crops that have some economic value.

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Picture for representational purpose only | (Pic: Express)

The College of Forestry at Ponnampet, in collaboration with Sucden India, is involved in an afforestation drive across Kodagu. The initiative called the Sustain Landscape Project involves the distribution of native varieties of tree saplings among farmers.

Plans are afoot to plant them across sacred groves in the district.

Kari Mara (Diospyros ebenum), ‘Karadimara (Chukrasia tabularis), Dhoopa mara (Vateria indica), Kari Dhoopa (Canarium strictum) to name a few, are native trees that once dotted the Kodagu landscape.

Older generations are familiar with the tree species but these are alien to the present generation. The increased demand for wood and medicines along with galloping urbanisation has led to plummeting of the native trees. To revive the trees, Ponnampet Forestry with support from Sucden India this sustainable plan was devised.

“Community forestry is being promoted through the project with seedlings of the native trees being distributed to the farmers of the district. We have been conducting this initiative for the last three years. Final-year students of the college look after the seedlings of the native trees and a few economic crops, under the experiential learning model. The students receive stipends from Sucden and the seedlings raised in the college nursery are then distributed to farmers,” said K Nanaiah, assistant professor of the college.

Look at the numbers
The seedlings are distributed for free to the farmers. While 70% of saplings are that of native trees, 30% are crops that have some economic value, he said. Since 2020, a total of 250 farmers (the majority in South Kodagu) have received the saplings and raised them. The college students have also planted saplings across river banks and other protected areas across South Kodagu.

This year, they plan to expand the initiative across Kodagu, he said. The college has invited the participation of various Sacred Grove Temple committees. “Communities must be involved for this sustainable initiative. If this does not happen, we will devise other plans to plant these saplings,” he said.

The project initiative has achieved a success rate of over 50% with 25,000 to 30,000 saplings have been planted so far. They are now targeting 60,000 plantations by this year.

source: http://www.edexlive.com / Edex Live, The New Indian Express / Home> News> Kodagu / by Prajna GR / July 03rd, 2023

Budding Kodagu Shooter Dies In Bengaluru Accident

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Bengaluru:

A budding shooter from Kodagu was killed in a car accident in the wee hours of Monday on the Bannerghatta-Dasarahalli Road.

The car, a Honda City (KA-51-P-3475) was being driven by 22-year-old Kuppudira Prakhyath Chinnappa, son of Kuppudira Ponnu Muthappa and Nayana, residents of Badagarakeri Village in Ponnampet taluk of South Kodagu.

CCTV footage from the accident scene revealed that Prakhyath was driving at a high speed when he lost control of the vehicle and collided with two stationary cars and a bike parked alongside the road, resulting in his immediate death.

After colliding against the vehicles, the speeding car hit an electric pole and a roadside wall. The impact of the accident was such that the car’s engine and tyres got separated from the vehicle. Prakhyath’s three friends too sustained grievous injuries and they are recuperating at a hospital.

Prakhyath, a final year BBM student of Acharya College, was travelling on the road at 3 am on Monday, along with his friends Nataraj, Rikhith and Basanagowda. While Nataraj and Basanagowda hail from Mysuru and Bengaluru, Rikhith hails from Tavalageri village near T. Shettigeri in South Kodagu and is the son of Thadiyangada Karumbaiah and Sowmya.

Prakhyath resided in a rented house near his college and according to the Police, Prakhyath was driving recklessly when he lost control and collided with the parked vehicles on the roadside.

The Peenya Traffic Police have filed a case of death due to reckless and negligent driving against the driver. Further investigations are underway.

The Police have collected samples and sent them to the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) for analysis to determine whether the driver was under the influence of alcohol.

The cremation took place at Prakhyath’s hometown last evening. Family sources said that Prakhyath was actively involved in shooting competitions within India and had garnered significant attention among the Kodava community as a potential representative for the nation in the sport. He had bagged the championship at the recently held State-level shooting competitions at Birunani and                     Nelaji in Kodagu.

Prakhyath’s father Kuppudira Ponnu Muthappa is the President of Marenad Kodava Samaja and is also the President of the Management Committee of Sri Mrithyunjaya Temple, Badagarakeri. He has contributed immensely for the development of the Temple.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> News / June 20th, 2023