Propaganda against arecanut is baseless: Nitte VC

Experts at an interactive workshop on “Arecanut and Human Health” organised by the CPCRI in Kasargod felt that the propaganda against arecanut on its ill-effects on health, is baseless.

The arecanut has medicinal properties and has been used since time immemorial, they said.

Speaking on the occasion, UAHS, Shivamogga vice-chancellor Dr Manjunatha K Naik said that all of us should unitedly stop the false propaganda being spread against arecanut. There is a need to submit a report on the medicinal values of arecanut to the Supreme Court.

"There are no harmful effects of arecanut. There is a need to look into alternative uses of arecanut. Over 6 million lives are dependent on the cultivation of arecanut, there is a need to protect arecanut farmers. Farmers can increase their income by preparing value additional products from arecanut sheaths including plates and fodder.

Inaugurating the programme, Nitte Deemed to be University vice-chancellor Dr Satheesh Kumar Bhandary said that there is no carcinogenic content in arecanut. Arecanut and 'tamboola' find its mention in Sushruta Samhita of 600 BC.

Tobacco entered India in the17th century AD. Consumption of arecanut along with tobacco and the use of fungicides while storing arecanut may cause cancer.

To know the benefits of arecanut, a research on arecanut alone, without mixing tobacco must be done. He assured the collaboration of Nitte deemed to be University in carrying out research on medicinal uses of arecanut in the field of neurology, psychiatry and ophthalmology.

ICAR-CPCRI, Kasargod Director Dr P Chowdappa briefed on the relevance of this meeting in the emerging scenario. He also mentioned the recent advancement by CPCRI on arecanut research.

He said that a compiled report of the two-day meeting will be submitted to the Central government. "There is a need to create awareness on the medicinal properties of arecanut. Arecanut is cultivated on 4.72 lakh hectare land in India, producing 7.36 lakh tonne arecanut annually. In the last 15 years, the arecanut production has increased four times. But few people are engaged in baseless propaganda against arecanut," he said.

Former secretary of Government of India, V V Bhat, provided the glimpses of world trade practices and called for protection of arecanut growers in India. He called for a need-based research of arecanut in collaboration with multiple research institutions breaking across the respective field limitations of academic barriers.

He also quoted the Skanda Purana, where "Ku-tamboola" or modern day "pan-masala" is mentioned not to be good for health, but a few industries still prepare this by adulterating arecanut.

The second day's topics would cover the wound healing properties of areca catechu extracts on different wound models. Topics on alternative uses of arecanut and arecanut and oral health, consumption pattern and health issues of arecanut chewers in Karnataka will also be discussed.