Campco Limited has expressed concern over the escalating issue of illegal import of arecanut into the domestic market.
The cooperative has keenly observed the illicit entry of foreign arecanut through various channels, posing a dual threat to the local arecanut market and inflicting substantial financial losses on the government, said A Kishore Kumar Kodgi, president Campco.
He stated that arecanut is surreptitiously finding its way into the country, allegedly through the Integrated Cargo Terminal of Mangalore International Airport. Upon arrival in Mangaluru, the imported arecanut is distributed to different regions, significantly impacting traditional arecanut cultivation areas, including the coastal and Malnad regions. This unlawful practice undermines the dedicated efforts of local farmers and cooperative organisations, destabilising arecanut prices and disrupting the livelihoods of those dependent on this vital agricultural sector.
Kodgi has appealed to the government to take immediate and decisive action, implementing robust measures to counteract the illegal import of arecanut.