MP Eswarasamy Urges Centre to Act on Coconut Farmers’ Crisis

MP K. Eswarasamy has urged the Union Government to act swiftly on the severe diseases and declining productivity affecting coconut farms in Pollachi, raising the issue in the Lok Sabha on Monday.
He drew attention to the widespread impact of Kerala root wilt disease, which destroys coconut trees from the roots, and the urgent need to promote value-added coconut by-products to support farmers’ income.
Pollachi and its surrounding regions have nearly 80,000 hectares under coconut cultivation. The region’s coconuts, known for their taste and size, enjoy strong domestic and global demand. Coconut cultivation remains the primary livelihood for thousands of farmers.
However, the sector is facing a major crisis. Root wilt disease and rugose spiralling whitefly infestations have together damaged around 10 lakh coconut trees, severely affecting yields. Due to environmental factors as well, productivity has fallen sharply—from 60–70 coconuts per tree to below 40 since 2024. Farmers have been repeatedly appealing for government intervention.
Raising the matter during the ongoing winter session, Eswarasamy asked the Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare to detail the steps taken to address the farmers’ concerns. He also sought clarification on whether special financial allocation has been provided under the Union Government’s Cluster Development Programme for pest control, rejuvenation of one lakh trees destroyed by root wilt disease, and scientific restoration efforts for 3.5 lakh severely affected trees.