Mangalore, Aug 08: Dakshina Kannada MP Nalin Kumar Kateel, in the parliament on Aug 07, has raised the issue of the need to protect the interests of domestic arecanut growers who are distressed due to the decline in the price of the produce caused by import of low-priced areca nut.
“India imports arecanut mainly from Bangladesh and Nepal. The prices of locally grown varieties have declined with imported arecanut costing much less than the domestic produce,” he said.
“MP’s from arecanut growing States in the South and East have already requested to increase the price for imported arecanuts. If the import price is increased, the price of locally produced acrecanut will not go below Rs 100 a kg in the domestic market. I urge the Union Ministries of Agriculture and Commerce and Industry to protect the interests of arecanut growers,” he added.
