Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (SP)

Udupi, Jun 21: Coconut is an important cash crop of the district. However, most of those who cultivate coconut are marginal farmers. Therefore, towards improving the productivity of the coconut gardens owned by them, a facility to undertake revival of the coconut gardens has been extended to the farmers under the National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme.

Under the above employment guarantee scheme, coconut can be planted and soil and water conservation work can be conducted. In the case of old coconut gardens, old coconut plants can be revived and mud and water conservation works can be taken up.

A target of providing not less than a hundred man days work for every farmer family in rural areas is set depending upon the demand. In a financial year, farmers who hold employment cards and those who are eligible to apply afresh for the cards can take part in this scheme. The programme is being implemented jointly by the gram panchayats and the department of horticulture.

Under this scheme, dry or dead coconut trees can be uprooted and new ones can be planted. Manuring of coconut trees which give less harvest and revival of old trees can be taken up.

For the year 2021-22, under the said scheme, a daily wage of Rs 289 can be given per day. For 100 days, a farmer can get Rs 28,900 as wage. The farmers get their money within a week to 15 days after doing the work. Relating to equipment expenses, the farmers have to prepare bills and hand over the same to the department of horticulture.

Deputy director of horticulture, Bhuvaneshwari, said that coconut is grown in the district in 24,000 hectares of land but most are old gardens. She said that because of this, the revival plan was undertaken. Those who have a minimum of half an acre of coconut garden can apply under the scheme, she reveals.