Question : ARECANUT CULTIVATION



(a) whether Arecanut cultivators are not getting remunerative price of their produce;

(b) if so, the cost of production of Arecanut as of now and price structure during the last two years ;

(c) whether Arecanut is being exported, if so, the details of export with value thereof during the past three years;

(d) whether there is demand or proposal to declare support price for Arecanut, if so, the details thereof;

(e) whether there is import or smuggling of Arecanut, if so, the details thereof;

(f) whether there is proposal to increase import duty; and (g) if so, the details thereof?

Answer given by the minister


MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE (SHRI SRIPAD Y. NAIK)


(a) & (b): The arecanut cultivators received highly remunerative prices during 1999- 2000. During 2000-2001 fall in price was observed. Cost of production and price of arecanut during the last two years is given as under:

Year	Price (Rs./Qtl.)	Cost of production (Rs./Qtl.)
1999-2000 13181 3500 2000-01 8397 4000


(c): Yes, Sir. The arecanut is being exported from India and the details of export with value for three years is given below:
Year	Quantity in tonnes	Value in 000` Rs.
1996-97 513 41908 1997-98 664 36550 1998-99 533 46892



(d): There is no proposal to declare support price for arecanut. Being a horticulture crop Market Intervention Scheme is implemented for arecanut whenever there is a need.

(e): The arecanut imported during 1998-99 was 6707 tonnes, during 1999-2000 it was 3022 tonnes and during April to August 2000-01 the import was 805 tonnes.

(f) & (g): Government of India has already raised the import duty on arecanut to 100% from 35% from July, 2000 onwards.