Saralnama
Union Minister for Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, Shivraj Singh Chouhan, announced plans to personally visit Karnataka with a team of scientists to assess and develop a roadmap for arecanut cultivation in the state. Chairing a high-level meeting in New Delhi, he highlighted arecanut’s significance as a commercial crop integral to India’s religious, social, and cultural practices, and its use in Ayurvedic and veterinary medicines due to its alkaloids. Addressing concerns from a World Health Organization report, Chouhan stated that the Indian Council of Agricultural Research is conducting studies to clarify misconceptions. Scientific teams are tackling viral diseases affecting arecanut plants, and the government is considering compensation for farmers’ losses. The meeting also discussed issues like illegal imports, moisture problems, and price disparities between nut sizes, with assurances that these will be resolved promptly to protect farmers and the industry. India leads global arecanut production, contributing about 63% of the total, with Karnataka as the top producer. In 2023–24, India produced approximately 14 lakh tonnes from 9.49 lakh hectares, valued at around ₹58,664 crore. Around six million people depend on arecanut farming for their livelihood. The meeting included Union Ministers HD Kumaraswamy and Pralhad Joshi, MPs from producing regions, and senior… (Updated 21 Aug 2025, 22:49 IST; source: link)