A national research centre and board for areca needed: expert

shivamogga

Prakash Kammaradi, agricultural economist and member of the Karnataka State Policy and Planning Commission, advocated setting up a national research center for areca and a board to look after areca cultivation.

Mr. Kammaradi spoke at a consultative meeting organized by the Malenadu District Development Board in Shivamogga on Monday, December 22, 2025, following leaf spot and other diseases affecting the areca crop in Malnad district.

Leaf spot, a fungal infection, had hit areca growers in Malnad district very hard. “The disease has caused a crisis, making growers worried about the future of the crop. No remedy offered by scientists can save the growers from this difficult situation. It is high time to encourage the Central Government to set up a national research center for the crop, as many such centers have been set up for other crops as well. Besides, there is a need for a separate board for the management of the crop,” he said.

Mr Kammaradi called on growers, cooperative representatives and elected representatives to put forward these demands, regardless of their political affiliation. “Horticulture universities face limitations in conducting extensive research on the crop. They hardly have the staff and funds to conduct research. Therefore, as a long-term measure, both the Central and State Governments should consider setting up a research center and board,” he continued.

He also added that funding for research would not be a problem. He suggested that the government could impose a deduction of ₹100 per areca and collect ₹100 crore annually for research activities.

RM Manjunath Gowda, Chairman of Malenadu District Development Board, who organized the meeting, stated that leaf spot disease reduces the yield significantly. “There are many growers in some parts of Agumbe in Tirthahalli who harvest up to 80 quintals a year but this year they could not harvest almost five quintals due to disease. I do not think either the Center or the State will come to the rescue of the growers. On the other hand, areca growers are quite lazy; they do not raise their voices except when areca prices are falling,” he opined.

B. Gangadhar Naik, Professor of Plant Pathology, Keladi Shivappa Nayaka University of Agricultural and Horticultural Sciences, Shivamogga, gave a presentation on leaf spot disease and the research done by the university so far. Mr. Naik, who also chairs the university working group on areca, said growers can minimize the impact of the disease with comprehensive management and timely intervention.