A stakeholders’ meeting to enhance productivity and value addition in arecanut plantations has stressed on the need for mechanisation in arecanut sector.

Participating in the meeting at Vittal in Dakshina Kannada district on Wednesday, K Padmanabha, President of Central Arecanut and Cocoa Marketing and Processing Cooperative (Campco) Ltd, said lack of manpower in arecanut sector is leading to low productivity and there is need for mechanisation in arecanut sector.

Safe devices are needed to climb arecanut plants and to spray fungicides on tall palms. He suggested that agricultural engineers and post-harvest technologists in research institutes and agricultural colleges take up such projects on priority basis and come out with effective and viable machines.

In this regard, Campco and Arecanut Research and Development Foundation will conduct a ‘krishi yantra mela’ in January with participation from various stakeholders in the sector, he said.

M Srinivasa Achar, President of All-India Arecanut Growers’ Association, said that the research institutes should provide hand-holding services to farmers who seek their help. Research institutes should give more thrust on interactions with farmers than on protocols, he said.

Achar suggested that the agencies concerned plan integrated arecanut mills at village levels to tackle the problems related to post-harvest activities.

Shree Padre, a progressive farmer, mentioned the need to set up a data base of mechanisation activities that have taken place in arecanut sector.

P Chowdappa, Director of the Kasaragod-based Central Plantation Crops Research Institute, and Homi Cherian, Director of the Kozhikode-based Directorate of Arecanut and Spices Development, also addressed the gathering.

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