Amid farmer distress, Karnataka delegation urges Amit Shah to halt illegal areca imports
A delegation of elected representatives and arecanut growers from Karnataka met Union Home Minister Amit Shah in New Delhi on Friday, urging him to curb the illegal import of arecanut, which they said is adversely affecting domestic farmers.
The delegation comprised Members of Parliament B.Y. Raghavendra, Kota Srinivasa Poojary, and Vishweshwar Hegde Kageri, along with Satish Chandra, chairperson of Central Arecanut and Cocoa Marketing and Processing Cooperative Limited (Campco), and Karnataka legislator Araga Jnanendra. They submitted a memorandum to the Home Minister outlining their concerns.
The representatives told Mr. Shah that areca growers are already facing multiple challenges, including crop diseases that have reduced yields and a steady rise in cultivation costs. They argued that the inflow of illegally imported arecanut would compound their difficulties and destabilise the domestic market.
The delegation specifically drew attention to the illegal movement of foreign-origin arecanut through vulnerable land borders and ports. They pointed to the possible misuse of import classification and trade documentation, and requested stricter vigilance and scrutiny of consignments declared as roasted nuts and seeds. Such loopholes, they said, allow imported arecanut to bypass customs duties and undercut local produce.
They also urged the Union Minister to strictly enforce the minimum import price (MIP) of ₹351 per kilogram for arecanut. The MIP is intended to protect domestic growers from cheap imports that can flood the market and depress prices.
In their memorandum, the delegation appealed for a coordinated effort involving the Ministry of Home Affairs, the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, and the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs. They recommended strengthening surveillance at vulnerable entry points and streamlining information-sharing among agencies to prevent smuggling and misdeclaration.
Arecanut, commonly known as betel nut, is a major commercial crop in Karnataka. The state is one of India's main producers, with cultivation concentrated in districts such as Shivamogga, Dakshina Kannada, Chikkamagaluru, and Udupi. The crop supports the livelihoods of several lakh farmers and workers involved in processing and trade. Growers have long been demanding stricter enforcement of trade rules to shield the sector from imports that they allege are routed through third countries in violation of tariff norms.
The issue has gained prominence in recent years as imports of foreign-origin arecanut have reportedly risen. Domestic producers argue that these imports, sometimes declared under incorrect tariff headings, escape the required duties and undermine the MIP mechanism. The demand for inter-ministerial coordination reflects the need for a multi-agency response that combines border security, customs enforcement, and trade policy.
The delegation's meeting with the Home Minister is seen as a significant step in pressing the Union government to act on the concerns of the areca growing community. While no immediate announcement was made, the memorandum submitted by the MPs and growers is expected to be reviewed by the ministries concerned.
This is not the first time Karnataka's representatives have sought action on arecanut imports. In previous years, similar appeals have been made to the Commerce Ministry and the Finance Ministry. However, growers have continued to report substantial inbound consignments that they say evade existing checks. The participation of lawmakers from across party lines underscores the political importance of the issue in Karnataka, where the areca economy is a decisive factor in several constituencies.
Details of the meeting were not immediately made public by the ministries. The delegation, meanwhile, has expressed hope that the government will take concrete steps to curb illegal imports and provide relief to the farming community.
