(a) whether Arecanut growers are facing crisis due to reduction in price on account
of smuggling from Sri Lanka via Nepal which has affected adversely the Indian domestic
market; and
(b) if so, the action taken to protect the farmers in this regard?
(a) whether Arecanut growers are facing crisis due to reduction in price on account
of smuggling from Sri Lanka via Nepal which has affected adversely the Indian domestic
market; and
(b) if so, the action taken to protect the farmers in this regard?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE (SHRI SHRIPAD Y. NAIK)
(a) & (b): Arecanut growers faced a problem due to decline in prices. The import of
Arecanut was negligible. Decline in prices is attributed to increased production and not
due to import. However, to safeguard the interest of arecanut growers, the Government
have already raised import duty from 35% to 100%. The Finance Ministry has also
issued instructions to customs officials to prevent the illegal entry of Arecaunt in the
country.