Pest attack is relatively less since chemical inputs are used is less quantity. Minor attack of rat in coconut is controlled by applying bait in a low cost way, developed by the farmer himself. Rattol paste is the poison used against the rat. This paste will be squeezed in between two small round biscuits, which will then be placed inside a plastic cover, sealed and then placed on the crown of the palms, mainly inside the frond, at the time of the harvest of nuts @ 1 packet/palm. The rats will get killed on eating this poison. The effect of poison will last up to next harvest I e. 2 months. This is a very low cost and effective method of rat control, with less environmental pollution.
In addition to this, once in a year, crown cleaning is done before the monsoon season. This also helps in reducing the rat population to a certain extent. 250 grams of neem cake powder, 250 grams of sand and 250 grams of common salt is also applied in the crown as a prophylactic measure against pests and diseases in general.
Application of Borep to avoid the attack of wild boars
At present the farm is facing a problem of attack of wild boars. The issue was raised with KVK and they have recommended the use of Borep. Accordingly a Front Line Demonstration-Management of Wild boars using Borep is done in the farm. The demonstration has proved capacity of Borep in repelling wild boars.
Source of technology
Pruning
To reduce the problem of diseases, especially fungal attack in nutmeg regular pruning is done
Trichoderma and pseudomonas
They are applied and prophylactic measure against fungal diseases.