Latest news with #RugoseSpirallingWhitefly
The Hindu
26-05-2025
- Science
- The Hindu
Set up lab at Veppankulam instead of Eachankottai, coconut farmers' association pleads with T.N. govt.
The East-Coast Coconut Farmers' Association has urged the State government to set up the proposed Bio-Control Laboratory for Rugose Spiralling Whitefly at Veppankulam in Pattukottai taluk in Thanjavur district instead of at Eachankottai in Orathanadu taluk. In a memorandum addressed to the State government and submitted to the Thanajvur district administration, the association said Orathanadu taluk, where the proposed laboratory was to come up at the Dr. M.S. Swaminathan Agricultural College and Research Institute, Eachangkottai, was not a significant coconut-growing zone. Establishing a laboratory there would limit its impact and accessibility to farmers who cultivate coconut substantially in nearby taluks in Thanjavur, Tiruvarur, and Pudukottai districts. Hence, the association claimed that setting up the Bio-Control Laboratory at the Coconut Research Station, Veppankulam, located amidst the major coconut-growing taluks such as Peravurani and Pattukkottai in Thanajvur district, Mannargudi, and Muthupettai in Tiruvarur district and Alangudi and Aranthangi in Pudukottai district would serve the purpose since the location offers strategic relevance and infrastructure. Further, the research station already served as a hub for coconut growers. Therefore, the association pleaded with the government to reconsider its decision and change the site of the new laboratory for the benefit of coconut farmers.
The Hindu
25-04-2025
- The Hindu
Farmers complain about irregularities in DPCs, pest infestation
Irregularities in the functioning of direct purchase centres (DPC) in Madurai district were once again highlighted by farmers at a farmers' grievance redressal meeting held at the Collectorate here on Friday. The farmers told Collector M.S. Sangeetha, who presided over the meeting, about various irregularities that plagued the functioning and the management of DPCs which included corrupt practices and exorbitant handling charges. The farmers said that they faced threats if they complained about the irregularities. From bribes to delays, there were problems galore, they said, adding that only after paying extra commission things were being done. The Collector urged the farmers to come forward and complain and not to pay any bribes. Genuine complaints would be looked into, she said. The discussions over the issue led to a heated argument between the farmers before things cooled down. Another major issue that was highlighted by the farmers and also saw heated arguments was with regard to pest infestation. The farmers complained that crops, particularly coconut palms, were being affected by Rugose Spiralling Whitefly. The farmers sought appropriate compensation from the authorities. They urged the authorities to come up with pesticides that they could use to protect crops from the pest. They said that drones could be used to spray pesticides to protect crops. The Collector assured the farmers that a survey would be conducted and appropriate steps taken. The Collector told the farmers that Digital Crop Survey will be adopted which included data and information on crops and other details. The farmers complained about the low yield due to climate change and other reasons. They urged the authorities to take steps to remove encroachments whenever a representation was made. They complained that the authorities were sitting on the representations. The farmers sought necessary steps be taken for desilting water channels. Some farmers urged the authorities concerned to create awareness of proper disposal of waste. The Collector told the farmers that e-carts had been introduced for garbage collection. Awareness programmes were already being conducted, the Collector told the farmers.
