In today's environment, to start areca cultivation one should have patience, commitment, perseverance, a team of labors and the ability to invest lakhs of rupees. Preparation of land layout for planting, fencing, digging and opening of drains, digging of pits for areca planting, cost of areca seeds, fertilizers, irrigation materials, expense of plant protection measures, mulching and shading expenses, crop operations, cleaning of drains, application of fresh soil and management of intercrops are the major components of cost involved in areca cultivation.
Areca nut cultivation in the study area is subject to disturbance by several insects and non-insects that can infest all parts of the areca palm from the root to areca fruits. The major pests causing considerable crop loss comprise Mites, Spindle bugs, Caterpillars and Root grubbers. These pests are either seasonal or persistent with the crop.
Areca nut palm in the District is reported to be affected by a number of diseases during different stages of its growth and development. Around 20 types of diseases causing varying degrees of damage to the tree have been discovered and identified in India. The following major nine types of diseases are reported in Uttara Kannada District:
U.K. District is wealthy in rivers. Still, in recent years farmers are facing water problems due to lack of channelized water supply system and erratic rainfall. Moreover, reduced groundwater levels have added to the burning issues. Though there are many ponds, lakes and water reservoirs in the highland area, they are filled with mud due to improper maintenance. Farmers need to invest lakhs of rupees to irrigate land.
U.K. District is spread over an area of 10,29,679 hectares, out of which 80 percent is forest land and only 1,38,711 hectares is available for cultivation. Deforestation due to power projects and other development projects has made a deep impact on areca farming, seen through the attack of wild animals and birds, reduction in water supply, increased temperature, and decreasing rain. Green leaf manure has also become costly for farmers.
Areca cultivation has maintained its unique nature of being a labor-intensive system. Problems of labor have created the urgent need and necessity of labor-saving appliances. However, these are not available to the desired extent, posing problems over production.
The quantum of yield differs from place to place in the District. Yield rate is not stable due to climate variations, rain, diseases and pests. Growers face the situation of instability in production, which has an impinging impact on their socio-economic development.
U.K. District has maintained its traditional popularity in producing intercrops like Pepper, Cardamom, Banana, Betel vine and Coconut. But, since the past fifteen years it has become difficult to grow these intercrops due to various diseases, erratic rate behavior, and disturbance caused by animals and bird attacks. Failure of intercrops has accelerated the problems of areca gardeners, adversely affecting yield and threatening economic life.
Unlike other agricultural crops, areca is to be maintained properly to enjoy the benefits of better yielding. It has to be protected at all stages before, during and after the harvest from natural calamities, pests and other diseases, animals, labor, and theft. Hence it is thought to be hard to grow and maintain.