Shivamogga MP B. Y. Raghavendra brought national attention to the growing distress among areca nut farmers in Karnataka by raising the issue during Zero Hour in the Lok Sabha on December 4, 2025. His intervention highlighted the deepening crisis faced by growers in the Malnad region, where a sharp drop in yield caused by yellow leaf disease and leaf spot disease has affected livelihoods across several districts dependent on areca farming.
His remarks came at a time when farmers across the Western Ghats have been appealing for immediate assistance as unpredictable weather patterns, increased disease outbreaks, and rising cultivation costs continue to threaten long-term sustainability. By placing the concerns before the Union Government, the MP sought urgent policy and financial support to stabilise the sector and prevent the situation from worsening.
Beyond the immediate financial distress, experts warn that the unchecked spread of yellow-leaf disease and leaf spot disease could have long-term repercussions on the agricultural economy of the Malnad region. Areca is a major commercial crop supporting thousands of small and marginal farmers, and any sustained drop in productivity can erode rural incomes and deepen existing vulnerabilities. Agricultural scientists have repeatedly highlighted the need for continuous field-level surveillance, improved disease-resistant varieties, and timely extension services to mitigate such risks. However, growers argue that the support systems on the ground remain inadequate, leaving many to grapple with crop losses without clear institutional backing.
Growers’ associations in Shivamogga, Chikkamagaluru, Uttara Kannada, and adjacent districts have also been urging the government to deploy special research teams to study the sudden intensification of the diseases after this year’s heavy rainfall. They say that climate-linked changes—such as unseasonal rains, prolonged cloud cover, and rising humidity—have created conditions that favour the fast spread of fungal and viral infections in areca gardens. Many farmers have already invested significantly in fertilizers, fungicides, and labour to salvage their plantations, but with limited success. The increasing cost of cultivation without proportionate returns has pushed large sections of growers into debt.
Responding to the MP’s intervention, farmer groups expressed hope that the Centre would take a more proactive stance by approving emergency relief packages, subsidising disease-control measures, and strengthening the Indian Council of Agricultural Research network in the region. They also stressed the need for a minimum support price mechanism or other market-stabilisation tools to protect growers from sudden price crashes triggered by reduced yield or supply chain disruptions. Several growers said that unless the Union Government steps in with coordinated financial and technical support, the crisis could escalate into a larger rural livelihood emergency.
Local representatives from Malnad added that the issues raised in Parliament reflect ground realities that have persisted for years without comprehensive intervention. They believe that a collaborative approach involving the Union Government, the State Agriculture Department, research institutions, and farmer cooperatives is essential for long-term stability of the areca economy. Many hope that the renewed attention drawn by the MP’s speech will accelerate pending proposals related to disease management, crop diversification, and scientific advisory services. As the winter session continues, growers across Karnataka remain eager to see whether the Centre will introduce concrete measures addressing the concerns raised in the House.
Background: Areca Cultivation and Its Regional Importance
Areca cultivation has long been central to the economic backbone of Karnataka’s Malnad belt, particularly in districts such as Shivamogga, Chikkamagaluru, Uttara Kannada, Davangere, and parts of Hassan. The region’s climatic conditions, soil profiles, and traditional farming knowledge have helped build an agricultural ecosystem where thousands of families depend on areca plantations for income.
The crop is tied historically to community livelihoods, intergenerational plantations, and local trading economies that stretch across rural markets and small industries. Over decades, farming households have invested heavily in irrigation, land development, and disease management. However, the rising frequency of plant diseases and erratic rainfall patterns has made areca farming increasingly vulnerable. Many growers fear that continued instability may erode financial security and create long-term agrarian distress if timely intervention does not arrive from the Centre and State.
The MP’s Concerns in Parliament
While addressing the Lok Sabha, Raghavendra stressed that the current season delivered unusually poor yields due to widespread infestation of yellow leaf disease and leaf spot disease, both of which have troubled plantations for years but have worsened significantly in recent months. He informed the House that prolonged heavy rainfall this year accelerated the spread of these diseases, weakening plant health, reducing fruit set, and curtailing the overall productivity of plantations.
He pointed out that growers who rely on the annual harvest to manage loan repayments, labour expenses, and household needs have found themselves in a precarious position as incomes drop sharply. His remarks were directed at drawing the Union Government’s attention to what he described as a developing agrarian crisis that demands urgent scientific and financial intervention.
Impact of the Diseases on Areca Plantations
Yellow leaf disease and leaf spot disease have become persistent threats in Karnataka’s areca-growing zones. YLD is particularly feared because once it strikes, recovery of the plant becomes difficult and often impossible in severely affected areas. The disease causes yellowing, premature drying, and the gradual decline of palms, leading to reduced nut size and lower commercial value.
Leaf spot disease, though different in nature, creates a compounding effect, reducing the photosynthetic strength of plants and weakening their resilience. During the recent monsoon, unusually high rainfall created conditions ideal for the spread of fungal growth, increased moisture retention in orchards, and greater exposure to pathogens. Farmers observed symptoms earlier in the season than usual, which meant that disease pressure remained high throughout the peak growing stages. This extended exposure has significantly damaged the harvest potential.
Financial Stress Among Growers in Malnad
The MP told Parliament that the cumulative effect of these diseases has been devastating for growers, many of whom depend solely on areca as their primary source of income. With production falling drastically, farmers are now struggling to meet their regular financial commitments, ranging from bank loan repayments to procurement of fertilisers, pesticides, and labour for maintenance of plantations.
The Malnad region has already witnessed an increase in reports of long-term economic strain, particularly among small and marginal growers who lack financial buffers. Many growers fear that continued plant decline will push them deeper into debt, especially as recovery from such diseases often takes several seasons. This fear is compounded by the reality that areca plantations are permanent crops that require constant care, making it difficult for farmers to shift to alternative agricultural options without significant losses.
Demand for Central Government Intervention
To address this urgent situation, Raghavendra urged the Union Government to step in with measures designed to support growers and restore stability to the sector. His demands include scientific research interventions to control and manage YLD and leaf spot disease, technical guidance through agricultural universities, financial aid packages for affected households, and a structured support mechanism that can help growers revive plantation health. He emphasised that the Centre must work closely with the State to establish disease surveillance systems, expand the availability of disease-resistant planting material, and develop climate-resilient agricultural strategies for the Malnad region. He added that without external support, the region may witness a prolonged agricultural downturn that could affect thousands of families.
Possible Solutions and Agricultural Measures
Agricultural scientists have long argued for improved disease management strategies within areca plantations, recommending measures such as soil nutrition balancing, removal of diseased palms, improved drainage, and adoption of disease-resistant seedlings. However, such solutions require substantial financial investment and coordinated guidance from research institutions. The MP’s plea also signals the need for field-level training programs, farmer awareness campaigns, and government-supported subsidies for replantation wherever damage is irreversible. Many growers believe that a comprehensive intervention package can help prevent further spread of the diseases and protect plantations that are still healthy. Strengthening the supply chain for quality planting materials, increasing laboratory diagnostic support, and promoting integrated farm management systems are among the recommendations often shared by experts.
Role of Climate Variability in Intensifying the Crisis
The heavy rainfall that triggered this year’s disease outbreak has intensified discussions on climate variability and its impacts on plantation crops. Farmers across Malnad have witnessed unpredictable weather trends such as unseasonal downpours, extended wet spells, and reduced winter intensity. These conditions alter soil moisture levels, spread disease spores easily, and weaken plant immunity. Climate scientists argue that the region is undergoing structural climatic shifts that require anticipatory agricultural planning. Raghavendra’s speech indirectly signalled this issue by pointing to excessive rainfall as a key trigger for disease escalation. If climate instability continues at present levels, experts fear that not only areca farming but also other perennial crops in the Malnad belt could face long-term sustainability challenges.
Regional Reactions and Farmer Sentiments
The MP’s intervention has been welcomed by grower associations across Shivamogga, Sringeri, Sagara, Thirthahalli, and other areca hubs. Farmer groups expressed relief that their concerns have finally been amplified at the national level. Many associations have been petitioning local authorities for months, seeking compensation for crop losses and assistance for disease management. Local leaders note that while the State Government has provided some guidance, the scale of the crisis requires national-level support. Farmers believe that comprehensive intervention will help prevent a repeat of the severe damage experienced this season. They remain hopeful that the Union Government will respond with concrete programs such as disease-tracking missions, financial buffers, and improved access to scientific expertise.
Looking Ahead: The Need for Long-Term Strategies
As the debate moves forward, agricultural analysts argue that securing the future of areca growers requires long-term planning that extends beyond immediate relief. This includes investment in research to develop resilient areca varieties, climate-adaptive farming practices, and collaborative projects between research institutes and grower communities. The Malnad region’s agricultural landscape is heavily dependent on areca, and therefore any instability in the crop has far-reaching economic consequences. Sustained institutional support, renewed focus on plantation health, and policy continuity will be essential. With Raghavendra’s appeal now placed on the national stage, expectations are rising that the Centre will take proactive steps to protect one of Karnataka’s most important agricultural sectors.
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