ARECANUT

The arecanut palm (Areca catechu L.) is one of the important commercial crops of India. The crop is mainly grown in the states of Kerala, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Assam, West Bengal, Meghalaya, Maharashtra, and Andaman & Nicobar group of Islands. The economic produce is the fruit called betelnut or 'supari' which is used mainly for mastigatory purpose. Arecanut plays an important role in the social, cultural and economic activities of the people. The area under arecanut in India was 1.06 lakh hectares during 95-96 which increased to 3.72 lakh hectares during 1998-99. The production for the corresponding period has increased from 2.99 lakh tonnes to 4.15 lakh tonnes (286 per cent increase). The productivity increased from 850 kg per hectare in 1957-58 to 1186 kg per hectare during 1998-99. Thus the increase in production was not only due to increased area under cultivation but also increased productivity contributed by superior varieties, supply of quality planting materials, better agro-techniques and plant protection.

India is the largest producer and consumer of arecanut and it continues to dominate world in area under cultivation and production and productivity. The national policy on arecanut is not to increase any more area since we have achieved self-sufficiency. Though arecanut is not an export-oriented crop, the internal demand is very high. About 8 million people are depending upon this crop for their livelihood. However, efforts are to minimise the cultivation cost for unit area so that net return for the farmer is increased.

The country earn about Rs. 45 million annually by exporting arecanut in different forms. The current production is about 334000 tonnes from an area of 269 thousand hectares.

Arecanut or betlelnut is an extensively cultivated tropical palm, the nuts of which form a popular masticatory in India, the Middle East and the Far East. It is a tall-stemmed erect palm, reaching varied heights, depending upon the environmental conditions. Palms attaining a height of 30 metres are not uncommon. Arecanut is an essential ingredient of ‘gutka’ and ‘pan masala.’ It is consumed both as a raw/ripe nut (adaka or kacha tamul), as dried ripe nut (chali supari) and as semi-mature, cut and processed varieties `Bateldike’ or `Kalipak’. There are over 150 trade types, differing in maturity, processing conditions and varying in their taste characteristics as per market conditions prevailing at different centers of the country.