The Central government is likely to earmark ₹67 crore in the coming budget to implement the recommendations of the committee that studied issues arising from diseases in arecanut plantations. The Centre has asked the Karnataka government to earmark its share to tackle this issue.

Addressing an arecanut growers’ meeting in Sagar of Shivamogga district on Saturday, Union Minister for Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Shivraj Singh Chouhan said he is aware of the impact of diseases such as yellow leaf disease (YLD) and leaf spot disease (LSD) on arecanut plants.

A national level scientists’ committee was formed to look into this matter. The committee visited various locations affected by YLD and LSD and consulted the farmers there.

Urging the need for the Centre and State to work together to tackle the issues related to arecanut sector, he said the Centre will make provisions to allocate ₹67 crore to implement the recommendations of this committee.

Addressing Madhu Bangarappa, Karnataka Minister in-charge of Shivamogga district, who was present on the occasion, he urged the Karnataka government to earmark its share to tackle this issue. It is essential for both the Centre and State governments to work together on tackling issues related to farmers, he said.

Looking into WHO row

Referring to the concerns of farmers arising out of the reports of World Health Organisation (WHO) which claimed arecanut as carcinogenic, he said arecanut is part of the Indian tradition. He said a research team of 16 institutes, including AIIMS, CCMD and IISc, has been asked to conduct research on this matter and submit the report to Supreme Court and WHO.

On illegal imports of arecanut, he said the Government has taken several steps to curb illegal import. The minimum import price of arecanut has been fixed at ₹351 a kg. The Government is ready to revise it, if the need arise, he said.

Apart from this, CBIC and BSF are working hard to curb illegal import of arecanut into India. Strict action will be taken against those who import this commodity illegally, he said.