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Title : Problems being faced by Arecanut growers in Kerala, Karnataka and Goa due to fall in prices.
SHRI P. KARUNAKARAN (KASARGOD): Thank you, Madam. I want to draw the attention of the Government with regard to the drastic fall in prices of arecanut. The farmers of not only Kerala, but also from Karnataka, Goa and some other parts of our country are affected due to this. There are about 3 lakh arecanut farmers, and the total dependents come to about 15 lakh. About four years back, the price of one kilogram of arecanut was Rs. 160. Now, it is reduced to Rs. 40 or Rs. 50. It is also not possible for the farmers to sell their arecanut because nobody is ready to buy it.[r37]
It is especially because of the unrestricted imports which the Government has permitted. So, the request of the areca-nut farmers is to give them a special package and they also want the Government to take some steps to restrict the imports. Otherwise, it would be very difficult for the farmers even to repay the loans that they have taken, and we will hear the suicide episodes once again.