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Stakeholders in arecanut sector have called for the development of a skilled workforce to climb arecanut trees for plant protection and harvesting.
In this regard, the Shivamogga-based University of Agricultural and Horticultural Sciences (UAHS) is planning to hold arecanut tree climbing training programmes in various locations under its jurisdiction. The Kozhikode-based Directorate of Arecanut and Spices Development (DASD) has favoured the idea of developing a training module to include it under the skill development programme of the government.
Speaking at the inauguration of the five-day arecanut tree climbing training programme, organised by the Central Arecanut and Cocoa Marketing and Processing Cooperative (Campco) and other organisations at Vittal (around 45 km from Mangaluru), Manjunatha Naik, vice-chancellor of UAHS, said that the university has jurisdiction over seven districts that contribute nearly 50 per cent of domestic arecanut production.
He said the university is planning to conduct such programmes in arecanut-growing regions.
Speaking on the occasion, Homey Cheriyan, Director of DASD, requested the UAHS and CPCRI (Central Plantation Crops Research Institute) to develop a 30-day training module on arecanut tree climbing.
According to Shree Padre, one of the organisers, such a training programme was conducted by a group of farmers in Thirthahalli taluk of Shivamogga district recently. With the training, many who were earlier earning around ₹400 a day are now making ₹1,200-1,400 by climbing arecanut trees. A 100 acre of arecanut plantation requires minimum seven tree climbers. Karnataka has 8 lakh hectares of arecanut plantations.
SR Satishchandra, president of Campco, said considering the response for the programme, Campco will organise another training programme soon.
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