Summary:
| Photo Credit: Handout E Mailmore-inCoconut growers in Tumakuru — referred to as the ‘Kalpatharu Naadu’ ( Land of coconut trees) — are in distress. Coconut trees are drying due to lack of water, pests and diseases, at Ballekatte in Tiptur taluk of Tumakuru district. A majority of farmers in Tumakuru district are dependent primarily on coconut farming for their livelihood. However, drought has seen a drastic change in fortunes over the past four years, as coconut trees have been hit by lack of water, diseases and pests. Devaraj, State secretary of Karnataka Rajya Raitha Sanga, said 50% of coconut trees have dried up and the yield has decreased by 40%..