(a) whether the Government has conducted any study on the impact of `Mandari` disease affecting Coconut plantations in the country;
(b) if so, the details thereof; and
(c) the steps taken to contain the disease?
(a) whether the Government has conducted any study on the impact of `Mandari` disease affecting Coconut plantations in the country;
(b) if so, the details thereof; and
(c) the steps taken to contain the disease?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY
OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION (PROF. K.V. THOMAS)
(a) & (b): Yes, Madam. Studies conducted revealed that the ‘Mandari’ mite infestation
resulted in the production of extremely small sized nuts with surface warting and
longitudinal fissures, immature nut fall, and draining of sap from young buttons. As a
result, drastic decline in production was reported from the affected States. While a survey
conducted during 2000 estimated a yield loss of about 21.8 per cent of the total production,
the survey conducted in 2004 revealed that the economic loss due to Eriophyid Mite had
decreased to 9.5%.
(c): A National Steering Committee was constituted by Government in 1999 for regular
monitoring of the status of the pest infestation and for pooling the research findings of
State Agriculture Universities (SAUs) and Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR).
The Committee recommended a strategy involving adoption of Integrated Pest Management
(IPM), Integrated Nutrient Management (INM) and Integrated Water Management (IWM)
in combination with eco-friendly pesticides.
Adoption of full package has helped in managing the mite to a great extent. As a
result, the intensity of infestation has reduced significantly.