The government will help areca nut farmers whose crops were damaged by a virus, said Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan. He held a big meeting in New Delhi with other ministers, lawmakers, and officials to talk about problems faced by areca nut farmers.
Clearing Up Confusion About Areca Nuts
A report from the World Health Organization (WHO) caused some confusion about areca nuts from Karnataka. Some people thought it might cause cancer. The minister said scientists are testing the nuts to prove they are safe. They will share their findings soon.
Areca Nuts Are Important in India
Minister Chouhan said areca nuts have been used in India for a long time, especially in special ceremonies and traditions. They are also used in Ayurvedic and animal medicines because they have helpful substances.
Helping Farmers with Virus Damage
The minister said the government is serious about helping farmers who lost their areca nut crops because of a virus called Aerolif. Scientists are working on solutions to stop this disease and provide farmers with healthy plants. The government is also looking into ways to pay farmers for their losses.
Other Problems Being Fixed
The meeting also discussed issues like illegal imports of areca nuts, moisture problems, and price differences for different sizes of nuts. The minister promised to solve these problems in a timely way to protect farmers and the areca nut industry.
Visiting Karnataka
Minister Chouhan plans to visit Karnataka with scientists and experts to check on the situation and make plans to improve areca nut farming.
India Leads in Areca Nut Production
India is the world’s biggest producer of areca nuts, making up 63% of the global supply. In 2023-24, India grew about 1.4 million tons of areca nuts on 949,000 hectares of land. Karnataka is the top state, producing 1 million tons on 676,000 hectares. Other states like Kerala, Assam, Meghalaya, Mizoram, West Bengal, and Tamil Nadu also grow areca nuts. About 6 million people in India depend on areca nut farming, and the crop is worth around ₹58,664 crore.
Exports and Imports
In 2023-24, India exported 10,637 tons of areca nuts worth ₹400 crore to countries like the UAE, Vietnam, Nepal, Malaysia, and the Maldives. To protect local farmers, the government has put a 100% tax on imported areca nuts and raised the minimum import price to ₹351 per kilogram. Officials are also checking the quality of imported nuts carefully.
Support Programs for Farmers
The government has set up a scientific committee to study diseases like Yellow Leaf Disease (YLD) and Leaf Spot Disease (LSD) that harm areca nuts. In 2024-25, ₹37 crore was given to Karnataka to help with these problems. For 2025-26, ₹8.6 crore was given for special programs. A ₹63.16 crore project for 2024-27 will help manage LSD in 10 areas of Karnataka. Another ₹9.99 crore project with 16 agencies is researching areca nuts and their effects on health.
The government is also running programs to teach farmers better ways to grow areca nuts and increase their income.
Conclusion
The Indian government is working hard to support areca nut farmers by addressing virus damage, improving crop quality, and protecting the industry from illegal imports. With scientific research, financial aid, and plans to visit affected areas, Minister Chouhan and his team are committed to helping farmers and ensuring the areca nut industry stays strong. These efforts will help millions of farmers and keep areca nuts an important part of India’s culture and economy.
