A Brainstorming session on ‘Coconut and arecanut pest and diseases in different regions of Karnataka’ was jointly organized by Keladi Shivappa Nayaka university of Agricultural and Horticultural sciences, Shivamogga and ICAR- AICRP on Palms, ICAR- CPCRI, Kasaragod on 12.10.2022 at Shivamogga.

Dr. R.C. Jagadeesha, Vice chancellor of KSNUAHS, Shivamogga in inaugural session mentioned the rapid and devastating climate change and the need for proper planning & preparedness to tackle for emerging new pest and disease management. He also emphasised the need for awareness campaigns, such as farmer field days, FoCT, State/Regional/District/Block level seminars, etc., to disseminate information on scientific management techniques for coconut and arecanut.

Dr. Anitha Karun, Director and Project Coordinator (Palms), underlined the pivotal role of the ICAR-CPCRI, Kasaragod in addressing the challenges of RSW management in coconut in India. She also underlined the need for a pesticide-free approach, the avoidance of insecticide sprays, and the importance of conserving biological control for the development of the aphelinid parasitoid (Encarsia guadeloupae), a successful tactic in the biological control of invasive coconut whiteflies.

Dr. Vinayaka Hegde, Head (Crop Protection) ICAR-CPCRI, Kasaragod, handled the technical session on the important pest and diseases management of coconut and arecanut. He stressed upon regular pest and disease surveillance by research and academic institutions to monitor their incidence and spread.

Dr. Ravi Bhat, Head (Crop Production) ICAR-CPCRI, Kasaragod, cautioned about procuring of planting material from the hotspot areas to contain the spread of invasive pest and highlighted the need for collective action in undertaking the management practices.

About 30 representatives from the University and Department of Horticulture, Government of Karnataka, attended the programme.