The Hindu Business Line : Growers seek long-term policy on arecanut

Issues
The frequent threats of ban on `gutkha' would lead to the collapse of arecanut prices.
Campco calls for complete ban on import of arecanut.

Mangalore , Dec. 12

The Union Government's move to not ban sale of "gutkha" has evoked mixed response among arecanut growers and cooperatives.

In a written reply to a question in Rajya Sabha last week , the Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare, Ms Panabaka Lakshmi, said: "The Government has no proposal, at present, to ban the sale of gutkha."

Policy needed

The President of All-India Areca Growers' Association, Mr M. Srinivasa Achar, told Business Line that the Union Government should have a long-term policy on horticulture products such as arecanut. The frequent threats of ban on "gutkha" would lead to the collapse of arecanut prices, affecting the interests of growers in the country.

The Central Arecanut and Cocoa Marketing and Processing Cooperative (Campco) Ltd thanked the Union Government for its decision and urged it to completely ban the import of arecanut.

In a press release, Campco said that there has been a considerable amount of import of arecanut from various countries. Stating that the current domestic production would help meet the demand in the country, the cooperative said the import of arecanut would affect the domestic market.

RED VARIETY PURCHASE

It also stated that the cooperative is ready to buy and market red variety of arecanut in Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts in Karnataka, and Kasaragod district in Kerala, provided the growers come forward for its cultivation. Predominantly, white arecanut is grown in these districts.

Considering the volatility in the arecanut market, the All-India Arecanut Growers' Association had recently sought help from Campco to go in for the cultivation of red variety of arecanut in these districts. Campco release said that it would buy red variety of arecanut in these three districts, if the growers venture into its cultivation.