The uncut areca has reached a record price from 11,000 per quintal during last week to Rs 14,000 per quintal this week. The growers who have opted to cut and process the areca too are happy with the increase in rate for the produce.

Planters say that they have to pay Rs 300 per day to workers deputed for spraying medicines alone. In such a case maintenance to plantation has become difficult. He says that they will be able to sustain the farm only if the prevailing price continues.
However, one of the planters opined that since processing of a quintal costs Rs 3,000, the existing price is not a bumper price at all.

All in all amidst little happiness farmers are now pondering as to how long will the price stay at what it has reached, whether it will fall again or will it bring wider smiles on their faces by shooting higher further.