Shivamogga: Addressing growing concerns among arecanut growers in Karnataka, senior BJP MLA and former minister Araga Jnanendra, who also represents All India Arecanut Growers’ Association, on Wednesday urged farmers not to panic following recent trade disruptions in Maharashtra.Speaking to reporters, Jnanendra addressed the issue of approximately 30 arecanut-laden trucks being detained and inspected by the food and drug administration officials in Maharashtra. The move created apprehension in the market, threatening a drop in arecanut prices as loading operations slowed down.Jnanendra assured growers that the federation is handling the situation with utmost seriousness. On June 9 and 10, a delegation comprising representatives from various areca growers’ organisations met with the CM of Maharashtra in Delhi to seek an immediate resolution. Union minister Pralhad Joshi spoke directly with the Maharashtra CM to secure official assistance, he said.The MLA explained that while the trucks are currently held under official inspection, the goods are not being unloaded anywhere as they were merely using Maharashtra’s roads for transit. He emphasised that authorities should not harass traders and farmers by stopping vehicles midway on highways, noting that inspections can legally be carried out at the final destination where the goods are scheduled to be unloaded.To safeguard local interests, the federation recently approached the Union agriculture minister with a request to revise the official minimum production cost estimation for arecanut from Rs 351 per kg to Rs 451 per kg. Achieving this revision would automatically raise the import tariff threshold, preventing the unregulated entry of cheap foreign arecanut into domestic markets.He stated that despite the nationwide implementation of GST, Uttar Pradesh has been levying an additional ‘Mandi Tax’ on the arecanut trade. The federation has formally requested the UP CM to withdraw this redundant financial burden on traders. Jnanendra strongly condemned the rising practice of using toxic chemical dyes to colour arecanut artificially.
