The President of the Central Arecanut and Cocoa Marketing and Processing Cooperative (Campco) Ltd has urged the grower-members to focus on integrated multi-cropping system.

Speaking at the 44th annual general meeting (AGM) of the cooperative in Mangaluru, SR Satishchandra, president of Campco, said the members of the cooperative should think of integrated multi-cropping system rather than just focusing on a single crop.

Diversification

Stating that some growers in arecanut-growing regions have found success in the cultivation of oil palm and rambutan, he said some other members can also think of focusing on these crops in the days to come.

Satishchandra said Campco had decided to take up coconut processing project at the request of grower-members to procure coconut from them. Campco is planning to install a plant for preparing value-added coconut products.

The project intends to process at least one lakh coconuts a day, he said, adding that that the coconut project would help provide competitive prices for its grower members. Referring to the plight of rubber growers in the country, he said the cooperative had asked for a package for the growers from the Centre. Mentioning the interaction of the cooperative with the Union government, he said he is hopeful of the Centre coming out with the rubber policy by January.

Rain damage

Satishchandra said many farmers have suffered heavy losses due to the heavy rainfall in the arecanut-growing regions recently. Apart from arecanut, the heavy rainfall in August this year affected other crops such as rubber and pepper.

comment COMMENT NOW