The spread of leaf spot disease in arecanut plants has been worrying the farmers in several parts of Belthangady and Sullia taluks of Dakshina Kannada district. According to Horticulture department’s initial report, 225 hectares of arecanut plantations have been infected with leaf spot disease in the district. The disease is found more in Elaneer, Malavanthige, parts of Sullia
The Centre's orders to procure boiled rice produced in Coastal Karnataka and distribute it to the poor through Public Distribution System (PDS) will benefit none as a majority of farmers had already sold their paddy to rice mills.