Scientists and experts from Indian Council for Agriculture Research (ICAR), New Delhi, Gandhi Krishi Vijnana Kendra, Bengaluru and Horticulture Department have inspected the withering mango trees in Srinivasapur taluk in Kolar district on Monday.

The members of the team have confirmed that lack of water owing to continuous drought situation in the region was the main reason for the drying up of the mangroves.

A report had been published on the 15th of October detailing the damage caused to the mango trees and how the panicked mango growers are felling the trees. Mango trees cultivated on around 4,500 acre land in district has withered due to the drought. Among them, 3500 acre located in Srinivasapur taluk alone, which is considered Mango Barn of Karnataka.

Addressing the farmers at Tadigol after inspecting the damaged trees, ICAR scientist B.K. Pande said scanty rain and collapse of ground water are the main reasons for the withering of mango trees. A report prepared by the officials of agriculture and horticulture departments would be submitted to the State government and the Centre, he said.

Y.T. R. Reddy, another member of the team counselled farmers to adopt alternative crops such as vegetable and cashew to withstand the loss due to damage to mango trees.

A consultation meeting was held at Horticulture Research Centre located at Hogalagere in Srinovasapur taluk in the presence of local MLA R. Ramesh Kumar.

Expressing grave concern about the huge damage to mango trees, Mr. Kumar said mango crop is the main livelihood for the people in the taluk. He urged the government to provide compensation to the cultivators without differentiating between small and big farmers.

Source - http://www.freshplaza.com/