Mangaluru
The central government has decided to take up a scientific study to prove that arecanut is not injurious to health, and Rs. 10 crore will be sanctioned for the purpose, said Union Minister of State For Agriculture, Farmers’ welfare and Food Processing Industries, Shobha Karandlaje, speaking in a farmers’ meet held at the ICAR-CPCRI Research Centre at Kidu.
A case is pending in the Supreme Court in the wake of a report submitted by the previous government, suggesting that arecanut is hazardous for health, she said. However, we have decided to prove it wrong, by conducting a scientific study, in association with reputed institutions in the nation. It is brought it to notice of Union health minister, that arecanut is not hazardous for health. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has also supported this view and the legal.
Refuting the allegations that import of arecanut has affected the market, Karandlaje said that the centre had permitted import from Bhutan with utmost caution, only in 2020-21.
A proposal has been submitted to the central government, seeking Rs. 225 crore to manage leaf spot and yellow leaf diseases in arecanut. Further, the state government has also been directed to take necessary steps. Funds have been released by the Centre to find solutions to diseases in coconut farms too, she said.
Calling upon farmers to adopt multiple cropping technique, the minister said that the method will not only increase the profit, but will also prevent farmer suicides. Sullia MLA Bhagirathi Murulya was present.
