BENGALURU: The Centre’s decision to import about 17,000 tonnes of arecanut from Bhutan drew criticism from former Chief Minister and Janata Dal Secular (JDS) leader H.D. Kumaraswamy who stated that the decision to import arecanut is nothing but a “blow” to areca growers who are reeling under distress.
Kumaraswamy sought steps to bail out areca growers who are facing problems such as drought, floods and pest infestations to the crops.
The state government should come to the rescue of areca growers by manufacturing medicines to control pest infestations in areca crops and give them at low prices to the growers. In another suggestion, he said the state government should also distribute crop compensation to areca growers.
He said Karnataka produces a large share of areca in the country and the districts of falling in Malnad region such as Hassan, Chikkamagaluru, and Shivamogga accounted for more areca production. But, he said, the lives of areca growers is nothing but “double edged sword.
Throwing light on the plight of areca growers, the former Chief Minister asked the state government to initiate steps to protect the interests of areca growers.
