Is arecanut cancerous? After WHO warning, 17 research institutes to probe 'misconception'

Sagar: Amid growing concerns among areca growers in Karnataka on the back of a World Health Organization (WHO) warning that arecanut causes cancer, the Union government has tasked several research institutes with probing what it believes to be a 'misconception'.

Speaking at an areca growers convention organised by Sagar Prantha Areca Growers Association in Sagar on Saturday, Union Minister for Agriculture, Farmers' Welfare, and Rural Development Shivraj Singh Chouhan labelled the WHO warning as a misconception that needs to be dispelled.

To that end, 17 national research institutes, including the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), and the Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB), have been tasked with investigating the matter.

It may be mentioned here that as per the horticulture department, Karnataka is the largest producer of arecanut in India, with the crop being being grown on 6.14 lakh hectares of land in the state.

The coastal and Malnad regions of the state are major areas of areca cultivation. Now, it is being grown even in dry regions including Tumakuru and Chitradurga, and has become a major commercial crop in the state. Areca is being grown on 1.21 lakh hectares of land in the Shivamogga district alone.

Referring to the WHO's warning, Chouhan said that the report labelling arecanut as carcinogenic has raised concerns. These 17 institutes have been instructed to research the validity of the claim and submit a report to the Supreme Court.

"What fault lies with arecanut when poison is added to it in products like gutka?," Chouhan asked.

Formation of scientists' committee

Continuing to speak on areca cultivation, Chouhan said that a national-level committee comprising scientists has been formed to find permanent solutions for diseases affecting arecanut, such as leaf spot, yellow disease, and rot disease.

As much as Rs 67 crore worth of grants will be earmarked in the forthcoming Union Budget to implement the committee's recommendations. Research on virus-resistant arecanut varieties is also under way, he assured.

To curb arecanut imports, the Modi government has increased import duty on the crop from Rs 251 to Rs 351 per kg. If necessary, it will be increased further, he stated.

"After returning to Delhi, I will convene a meeting with the Customs Board to implement strict measures to prevent the illegal transport of areca nut into the country," assured Chouhan.

"Let's engage in politics during elections. The state government should also join hands to alleviate the hardships of arecanut farmers," he added.

Minister for School Education and Literacy Madhu Bangarappa, MPs B Y Raghavendra, Vishweshwar Hegde Kageri, and MLAs Belur Gopalakrishna and Araga Jnanendra were present at the event.

Centre will buy grains at MSP: Chouhan

The Union minister said Karnataka leads in grain cultivation. "We will purchase maize, tur dal, black gram, and masoor dal at 100 per cent of the Minimum Support Price (MSP)," he assured.

District in-charge Minister Madhu Bangarappa urged the Centre to officially declare arecanut as a non-carcinogenic substance.

Six years ago, Union Home Minister Amit Shah announced the establishment of a national-level arecanut research centre in Thirthahalli at a cost of Rs 500 crore, and Bangarappa urged the Union Home Minister to fulfill the promise.