Growers may not reap benefits of arecanut price hike due to low yield

THERE is a demand for single chol or the old stock of arecanut in the market and the prices have crossed ₹400 a kg. However, arecanut growers may not reap benefits of the price hike as production has been drastically reduced due to extreme heat and various diseases this year.

- DIVYA CUTINHO @Mangaluru

Due to adverse weather conditions and diseases, arecanut production has come down in Dakshina Kannada this year and the growers say that arecanut harvesting has come down to just twice a year when compared to three to four times in the previous years. "In 2020-21, I had 40 quintals of arecanut yield and this year it has come down to just 20 quintals. Many plantations are affected by yellow leaf, fruit rot and leaf spot diseases. By December, we start arecanut harvesting and usually we have around 3 to 4 harvests in a year. In the second and third harvest, usually growers