(a) whether it is a fact that pests and diseases are adversely affecting the coconut production in various States of the country during the current year; and
(b) if so, the details thereof along with the steps taken by the Government to popularize Integrated Pest Management (IPM) and Integrated Nutrient Management (INM) to minimize declining trend in coconut production/cultivation in coconut growing States?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
‡ãðŠãäÓã ??? ????? ?????? ½ãâ¨ããÊã¾ã ½ãñâ À㕾㠽ãâ¨ããè ( SHRI PARSHOTTAM RUPALA)
(a) & (b): Diseases such as leaf blight, stem bleeding and basal stem rot disease and pests including spiraling white flies, rhinoceros beetle, coconut mite, red palm weevil and leaf eating caterpillar have been reported to affect coconut production in the country for the last several years.
Coconut Development Board has been implementing following schemes to popularize Integrated Pest Management (IPM) and Integrated Nutrient Management (INM):-
(i) Integrated Farming for productivity improvement by Laying Out of Demonstration Plots (LODP) and Establishment of Organic Manure Units (OMU).
(ii) Replanting and Rejuvenation of coconut gardens for productivity improvement.
(iii) Technology Mission on Coconut-Development and adoption of technologies for management of pests and diseases.
Besides this, Central Plantation Coconut Research Institute (CPCRI), Kasargod, Kerala has taken following steps:-
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(i) Regular trainings are conducted on integrated pest and disease management, including field level demonstrations for farmers, developmental agencies and extension officials of State Departments.
(ii) Front line demonstrations on IPM and INM are conducted in stakeholders’ gardens.
(iii) Pamphlets, bulletins, hand-outs and videos on management of diseases and pests circulated to farmers through Krishi Bhawans and Krishi Vikas Kendras (KVKs).
(iv) Knowledge on pest and disease management in coconut to farmers through e-Kalpa, a mobile application developed by CPCRI.
(v) All India Coordinated Research Project on Palms in 15 Centers on coconut spread across the country under different State Agricultural Universities.
(vi) Visit of CPCRI Scientists to villages for conducting awareness programmes on pests and diseases every month.
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