A delegation from Karnataka met Union minister seeking stronger import controls and better pricing support for arecanut growers.
Puttur
A delegation of MPs and representatives from the arecanut industry has urged the Union government to take urgent steps to regulate arecanut imports and consider increasing the minimum import price to protect domestic growers.
The delegation met Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal in New Delhi and discussed concerns raised by farmers and stakeholders over alleged illegal imports and their impact on the livelihoods of arecanut cultivators across the country.
According to the delegation, unregulated and low-priced imports have been affecting market stability and placing financial pressure on growers, particularly in major producing regions. They stressed that immediate corrective measures are needed to ensure fair pricing and safeguard the interests of farmers.
The representatives demanded stricter enforcement against illegal imports and called for a revision of the minimum import price mechanism to reflect current market realities. They said such steps would help create a more stable and fair trading environment for the crop.
The minister reportedly heard the concerns and assured the delegation that appropriate steps would be considered to address the issues raised.
The delegation included MLC Kot Srinivas Poojary, CAMPCO President S.R. Sathishchandra, Managing Director Dr. B.V. Satyanarayana, Arecanut Federation President Aroor Gyanendra, Tumcos President Shivakumar, CAMPCO Delhi branch manager Bipin and other officials.
Stakeholders said protecting the arecanut sector is crucial for the rural economy, as it supports thousands of farming families and related industries. They emphasized that ensuring fair pricing and preventing market distortion is essential for the long-term sustainability of the sector.
Officials added that continued dialogue between the government and industry bodies will be important in finding a balanced solution that addresses both trade regulations and farmer welfare concerns.