KOLLAM: ‘Keragramam,’ a scheme for the integrated development of coconut gardens in Kulasekharapuram panchayat in Kollam, will be implemented to benefit over 9,500 coconut farmers with a total outlay of Rs 1.65 crore. The panchayat has already proved its excellence in agriculture by executing various projects, including the UN’s call for bio-farming.
“One of the main objectives of the project is the eradication of red palm weevil, rhinoceros beetles and leaf-eating caterpillars. A participatory programme has been organised in a joint venture with CPCRI Kaya-mkulam under the technical guidance of Dr Kr-ishnakumar and Dr Anit-hakumari,” Kulasekharapuram agricultural officer V.R. Binesh told DC.
In each ward, a team of 10 members has been trained to identify the affected coconut palms. The team with a data sheet will visit each household for applying the recommended bio- pesticides to destroy the causative organisms.
A total eradication of these pests is planned in 93,294 identified palms with dolomite application for neutralising the soil and use of organic manure micronutrients for correcting nutritional disorders.
Insurance coverage for these palms will be given with contribution from the farmers. The project also envisages planting of tuber crops in 300 hectares of land in Onattukara region and the materials will be made available to the farmers by December. Over 6,000 hybrid DXT &TXD seedlings will be distributed at subsidised rates.
Five new irrigation sou-rces will be created in each ward by constructing irrigation wells and 10 composting units with a capacity to produce 10 tonnes of organic manure.
