Soaring arecanut prices bring cheer to Karnataka farmers

Maintaining an upward trend since last few months, arecanut prices shot up continuously, bringing cheer to the growers.

The price of double chol (harvested two years ago) arecanut is between Rs 430 to Rs 460. The chol (old stocks) is fetching between Rs 425 to Rs 455 and the fresh arrivals fetched between Rs 345 to Rs 395.

As a competition to the Central Arecanut and Cocoa Marketing and Processing Cooperative Ltd (Campco), the private traders are purchasing at higher price as well.

The price of ‘chol’ arecanut was Rs 290 per kg in November 2019 while the price of ‘double chol’ arecanut had reached Rs 300 per kg and the fresh arrivals were procured at Rs 235 per kg. To protect the interest of the arecanut growers, the Campco had increased the procurement price of arecanut during the lockdown.

Arecanut is a major commercial crop in the coastal districts and some parts of Malnad. While the price of ‘double chol’ last year during February was between Rs 225 to Rs 298, ‘chol’ fetched Rs 200 to Rs 298 and fresh arrivals fetched Rs 160 to Rs 250.

Campco president Kishore Kumar Kodgi attributed the constant rise in the price to the decline in illegal import of arecanut to the country, following strict measures initiated in the border areas. Further, the drop in production too has reduced the yield by around 40 per cent. Drop in the production has been compensated with the steady increase in the cost for the farmers, he added.

A few farmers, anticipating a further rise in prices, adopted ‘wait and watch’ policy by not selling the produce in the market. Even the red variety of arecanut is also fetching good price in the market in Shivamogga and Sirsi areas.

Owing to fruit rot disease affecting arecanut plantations for the last two years, the yield had reduced. Now, even with better price, a majority of the small and medium growers do not have stock of old arecanuts, said growers.

Farmer and Karnataka Rajya Raitha Sangha Hasiru Sene state secretary Manohar Shetty said: “Though the price of arecanut has increased steadily, the production cost has also increased. With this price, farmers can lead a life of content.”

“For the first time, we are getting a good price for arecanut. All the farm produce, including arecanut, should get a good price for farmers to lead a contented life,” said another farmer