Mangalore, September 7: In 2, 11,000 hectare area 2, 79,000 metric tonne areca nuts have been produced, but due to rot problem and heavy drought more than 1800 crore rupees areca nuts got damaged in the Karnataka, said Campco institution president Padmanabha Konkadi.
Addressing the media persons he said that the rotts has spread to Dakshina Kannada, Udupi, Uttarakannada, Kodagu, Shivamogga, Chikamagalur and Kerala state’s Kasaragod, Kannur, Malappuram, Thrishur, kallikote areas. In the Karnataka Rs. 1200 crore and in Kerala Rs.800 crore damage has reported, hence in the coming days from Karnataka and Kerala more than 2,00,000 metric tonnes of areca nuts will be less available for sell, he said.
For the areca nut damage problem, along with areca nut growers and MLAs team, memorandum has submitted to the Chief Minister and he has given positive response. Institution has also requested with C.M that to take the leadership for getting areca nut growers to union government. Regarding the issue after pressurising by MPs, the matter was discussed in the parliament, he said.
Necessary method will be taken to ask the help of the Kerala government to provide the solution to the rots problem and campco urges for to find the proper medicine to the problem, he said.
To provide the opportunity to sell the areca nut, 6 days branches will be opened to purchase and it will start at Porebandar of Gujarat state on September 29 and meet of the institution will be held at Town hall on September 18, he said.
Director Suresh Bhandary, Vice – President C.N Shashtri, Sarthish Chandra Bhandary and others were present.
By: sathish Kapikad
