DK MP Capt Brijesh Chowta meets Piyush Goyal, seeks support for arecanut farmers

New Delhi: Dakshina Kannada Lok Sabha member Captain Brijesh Chowta on Thursday met Union Minister for Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal here and urged him to take steps to protect domestic arecanut growers from unfair competition and promote coffee cultivation as an alternative crop in Coastal Karnataka.

During the meeting, Chowta highlighted the distress faced by arecanut farmers due to the influx of imported arecanut, which has led to unpredictable price drops and financial instability for thousands of growers. He urged the minister to set up a special task force to study the factors behind price fluctuations and quality differences, while also exploring measures to protect domestic farmers from the adverse impacts of imported arecanut.

Additionally, Brijesh Chowta emphasized the need to promote coffee cultivation in Dakshina Kannada. He requested an update on the Coffee Board’s survey assessing the feasibility of coffee cultivation in the district and urged the ministry to outline the next steps in supporting this initiative,a statement from him said.

To further strengthen the prospects of coffee farming in the region, Chowta also proposed the establishment of a Coffee Board satellite office in Mangalore. This office would provide technical support, conduct awareness programs, and equip farmers with essential knowledge and skills to enhance coffee cultivation and improve their incomes.

“The farmers of Dakshina Kannada form the backbone of our local economy, and it is imperative that we take strong measures to safeguard their livelihoods,” Captain Chowta stated. “I am confident that the Minister will take these concerns seriously and work towards viable solutions to support our farmers.”

Union Minister Piyush Goyal assured Captain Chowta that the ministry would examine these concerns and explore appropriate interventions to address the challenges faced by arecanut and coffee growers in Dakshina Kannada, the statement said.