Karwar: Crops grown on 16,955 hectare in Uttara Kannada district was damaged due to flood this year with Sirsi taluk incurring maximum loss.

This statistics has been mentioned in the report submitted by Horticulture Department to the government and Directorate of Horticulture.

"The heavy rain in the district caused harm to areca plantations and pepper creepers. We are providing information to farmers to take steps to protect the crops", said Deputy Director of Horticulture Shashikanth Kotimani.

Kotimani said crops grown on 6,815.76 ha in Sirsi taluk, on 4,458.97 ha in Siddapur taluk and 3,223 ha in Yellapur have damaged due to rain.

"Following excess rain, areca plantations in many areas are being affected by crown rot disease. So, areca growers have to immediately treat their plantations with fungicide. Already, many farmers have faced loss and farmers have to take urgent measures to arrest further loss, he said.

"Necessary information is being provided to growers through experts in horticlinic. The department officials are in constant touch with the farmers and are giving necessary suggestions regarding proportion of fertiliser and insecticide", he said.

"Seventy-five per cent financial aid is given to growers to buy fungicide for controlling rot disease. In the present year, 3,642 farmers have registered themselves under the weather-based crop insurance scheme", he said.