K'TAKA MPS URGE CENTRE TO ADDRESS FARMERS' WOES

The MPs say renowned scientific institutions must be involved in a long-term study to tackle yellow leaf disease

- G SUBHASH CHANDRA @ Davanagere

DAVANGERE MP Dr Prabha Mallikarjun, part of a delegation of Karnataka MPs, on Thursday urged Union Agriculture Minister Shivaraj Singh Chouhan to take urgent measures to address the problems faced by arecanut and coconut farmers in the state, particularly in Davanagere constituency.

The delegation — which included CAMPCO chairman Kishore Kodge, former minister Araga Jnanendra, Union Ministers Pralhad Joshi, Kumaraswamy, V Somanna, and MPs Govind M Karjol, Vishweshwara Hegde Kageri, B Y Raghavendra, Captain Brijesh Chowta, Kota Srinivas Poojari, and Yaduveer Wadiyar — pressed for immediate release of funds sanctioned by the Agriculture Ministry to conduct "standard-based research" on areca and its impact on human health.

The MPs said renowned scientific institutions must be involved in a long-term study to tackle yellow leaf disease and other threats to areca. They suggested stricter EXIM policy and higher indirect taxes to curb illegal arecanut imports, and urged the Centre to consult cooperative bodies like CAMPCO, TSS and MAMCOS before granting import permissions.