Kotesh Harijan and Somu Harijan from North Karnataka are migrant farm labourers in Dakshina Kannada. Srinidhi AR and Abhijna M are pursuing BCom in coastal Karnataka. These youngsters did not know arecanut tree climbing a week ago. Now, they are ready to accept the challenge of harvesting arecanut.

This is thanks to a five-day training programme on arecanut tree climbing conducted by Campco (Central Arecanut and Cocoa Marketing and Processing Cooperative) and other agencies at the arecanut farm of CPCRI in Vittal, about 45km from here.

On Sunday, the final day of training, the organisers conducted an informal contest for participants on climbing the trees and tying a hook to harvest the crop. Their abilities in managing safety and preparation were also tested.

Thimmappa Bhandary, chief trainer, told BusinessLine that the training programme disproves the common notion that the youth are not taking to agriculture. Ten of the 30 participants in the training programme were college students.

Shankaranarayana Bhat K, Vice-President, Campco and programme coordinator, said that 29 of the 30 participants were below the age of 30. Either they have arecanut plantations or want to take it up as a profession, he said.

Apart from teaching climbing techniques and spraying fungicides, the candidates were trained in first aid and financial discipline.

A team from Shivamogga’s University of Agricultural and Horticultural Sciences had installed a safety net. Bhandary said this helped to instil confidence in the participants.

Vijay, who is pursuing BA at Thirthhalli, said that he could not attend one such training programme conducted by a group of farmers at his home-town . So, he decided to attend the programme in Vittal. Stating that there is a good demand for arecanut tree climbers in his area, he said they charge ₹5-6 per bunch of tender arecanut. They harvest 500-600 bunches a day.

M Pradeep, a final year BCom student from Perla of Kasaragod district in Kerala, said that his family has about four acres of arecanut plantation. Now he need not rely on anybody else to take up spraying and harvesting activities.

Kotesh Harijan and Somu Harijan said that the owner of the arecanut plantation where they work asked them to attend the training session.

comment COMMENT NOW