Southern States - Karnataka

Mite menace: `Let Nature take its course'

By Our Staff Correspondent

HASSAN MAY 27. The former Vice-Chancellor of the University of Agriculture Sciences, Bangalore, G.K. Veeresh, has suggested a hands-off approach to combat the widespread mite menace affecting coconut plantations in the State. This observation comes in the wake of the failure of chemicals, including Monokrotophos, to combat the spread of the disease.

Speaking to presspersons at the Farm Science Centre at Kandli, near here, today, Dr. Veeresh said the disease could be controlled if it was left to subside on its own in the natural course.

He noted that the research institute, NATP, had suggested this approach. However, he was not sure if the institution had submitted a report to the Government.

He said it was for the Government to clarify this aspect and added that it was not clear on what basis the authorities had recommended and carried out chemical-based treatment to control the infestation. Only a detailed examination would prove if the chemical suggested was defective or the farmers had failed to adhere to the instructions given to them.

On the widespread criticism of his report on the reasons for suicide by farmers, Dr. Veeresh was forthright in his opinion. He pointed out that it was clear from the criticism that the critics had not bothered to read the report in detail. It was sad that they were trying to cash in on a few non-essential details.

He too was the son of a farmer, he said, adding that farmers did not commit suicide for trivial reasons. Dr. Veeresh said his team had worked conscientiously within the framework of the terms of reference suggested by the Government in preparing the report. The terms of reference were based on a joint legislature committee report.

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