Parliament Question: Coconut Plantations affected by Kerala Root Wilt Disease

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2593 TO BE ANSWERED ON 16TH DECEMBER, 2025 COCONUT PLANTATIONS AFFECTED BY KERALA ROOT WILT DISEASE

2593. SHRI ESWARASAMY K :

Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE कृ(cid:874)ष एवं (cid:873)कसान क(cid:227)याण मं(cid:287)ी

be pleased to state:

(a) whether the Government is aware of the severe outbreak of Kerala Root Wilt Disease affecting coconut plantations in parts of Tamil Nadu, if so, the details thereof, including the extent of affected area and estimated losses;

(b) whether the Coconut Palm Insurance Scheme or any other crop insurance scheme is being implemented, if so, the details thereof;

(c) the number of beneficiaries covered, claims settled, and total funds disbursed during the last five years under the Coconut Palm Insurance Scheme, State-wise and year-wise;

(d) whether any proposal has been considered by the Union Government to strengthen disease surveillance, provide financial relief and promote resistant coconut varieties in affected regions; and

(e) If not, the reason therefor and the timeline by which the Government intends to introduce such interventions to safeguard coconut farmers’ livelihood? ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE कृ(cid:874)ष एवं (cid:873)कसान क(cid:227)याण रा(cid:207)य मं(cid:287)ी (SHRI RAMNATH THAKUR)

(a): Yes, the Government of India is aware about the incidence of Kerala Root Wilt Disease affecting coconut plantations in parts of Tamil Nadu. Root wilt disease of coconut is a non-lethal debilitating malady in Kanyakumari (Rajakkamangalam,Thiruvattar, Kurunthancode blocks), Tenkasi (Tenkasi, Kadayanallur, Kadayam, Shencottah blocks), Theni (Cumbum, Uthamapalayam blocks) and Coimbatore (Pollachi North, Pollachi South, and Anaimalai blocks) districts in Tamil Nadu. About 15%-19% disease incidence was reported from Coimbatore district, Tamil Nadu and the disease is known to the region since

1980.(b) & (c): The Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare through Coconut Development Board (CDB) in association with State Government and Agriculture Insurance Company of India, is implementing crop Insurance scheme for coconut palms - Coconut Palm Insurance Scheme, to insure coconut palms against natural and other perils with a view to compensate the farmer in case of loss/death of palms.

The scheme is being implemented in major coconut growing states through Agriculture

Insurance Company and concerned State Governments provisions furnish are as under:

CDB State Sum Palms Premium Share Share Farmer Assured under per palm per Per palm Share per per age (Rs) Palm (Rs) palm (Rs) palm(Rs) group (Rs) 4 -15 Rs 4.50 Rs. 900.00 Rs. 9.00 Rs. 2.25 Rs. 2.25 years 16- 60 Rs 7.00 Rs. 1750.00 Rs. 14.00 Rs. 3.50 Rs. 3.50 years Under the scheme, in Tamil Nadu, in the last five years, 446 farmers have been insured and total claim of Rs. 1,16,678/- has been paid to the 12 farmers.

Further, a weather index based Restructured Weather Based Crop Insurance Scheme

(RWBCIS) from kharif 2016 to provide financial support to farmers suffering from crop loss/damage arising out of natural calamities, adverse weather incidence and to stabilize the income of farmers etc. It is mentioned that coconut plantation is covered under RWBCIS but State Government of Tamil Nadu is not implementing the scheme (RWBCIS) from last five years.

(d) & (e): Yes, the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare through its 47 Central Integrated Pest Management Centres (CIPMCs) & Locust-cum-CIPMCs (LCIPMCs) across the country, conducts regular survey to assess the pest situation, promotes Integrated Pest Management (IPM) techniques to prevent non-judicious use of chemical pesticides. The CIPMC in Trichy, Coconut Research Station-Aliyarnagar (TNAU), a coordinating centre under All India Coordinated Research Project on Plantation Crops, ICAR- CPCRI are systematically monitoring the spread of the root (wilt) disease to ensure early detection and appropriate management in Tamil Nadu.

Further, an expert Committee comprising of members from CDB, ICAR-CPCRI, Dept. of Horticulture and Plantation Crops-Govt. of Tamil Nadu, ICAR-National Bureau of Agricultural Insect Resources (NBAIR),Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU) was formed to address the issues in coconut production sector and to evolve management strategies with special focus on root (wilt) disease in Tamil Nadu. As recommended by the expert Committee,mapping of the root (wilt) affected areas in Tamil Nadu is completed and measures taken for containment and eradication of the disease. CDB implemented thescheme - Replanting and Rejuvenation in an area of 27361.61 ha by utilizing Rs.134.86 crores during the last 10 years.

CDB established one of its farm in Dhali village, Udumelpet in Tiruppur District, Tamil Nadu for ensuring production and distribution of quality coconut seedlings to farmers.

During the last 10 years, 7.34 lakh seedlings were produced and distributed to farming community in Tamil Nadu. CDB has also assisted for production of 65.81 lakh seedlings by utilizing the existing infrastructure available with the State Government.

During the year 2025-26, an amount of Rs. 38.98 crores has been allocated for various schemes in Tamil Nadu of which an amount of Rs. 12.91 Crores was allocated for implementing the scheme-Productivity Improvement through Coconut Based Cropping System in 5000 ha and Rs.15.20 crores for implementing Replanting and Rejuvenation scheme in 2000 ha, Rs.6.85 crores for Expansion of Area under Coconut and Rs. 4.02 crores has been allocated for implementing other on-going schemes of the Board.

*****