SHILLONG, March 11: The Government of India is no longer approving schemes under Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH) for areca nut while citing health hazards.
This was revealed by the Agriculture Minister Banteidor Lyngdoh on the Day 6 of the ongoing Budget Session.
Replying to a short duration discussion initiated by AITC Spokesperson HM Shangpliang, the Agriculture Minister informed the House that the Centre has categorised areca nut, locally known as kwai, under Drugs and Narcotics section of commodity listing under the AGMARKNET Portal of Directorate of Marketing & Inspection.
AITC Spokesperson HM Shangpliang, while raising a short duration discussion, said that famers in Mawsynram and other areas of the state do not avail crop loan, which is a cause of worry.
Maintaining that areca nut should be recognised as cash crop for the benefit of the farmers, the Opposition also asked the state government to come up with an areca nut mission since the product is capable of bringing huge economic benefit for the people of the state.
In his reply, the Agriculture Minister, however, said that areca nut, as of now, is listed by the state as an agricultural produce.
With regard to the issue of yellowing of areca nut leaves, which occurs mainly due to bud rot disease, the minister informed that the District Horticulture Officer, East Khasi Hills, along with the Subject Matter Specialist (SMS) from KVK East Khasi Hills have made visits to the affected village under Mawsynram C&RD Block to identify the cause of the disease and accordingly render to the farmers the measures for managing the disease.
“The department had instructed all the DHOs to inspect and monitor the status of the disease over the last six months in the affected areas. Status reports were made for each district where areca nut was cultivated and the percentages of affected areas by the bud rot disease were determined,” he said.
According to the Minister, in the East Khasi Hills, under Mawsynram and Pynursla C&RD Block, 43 villages have been affected with an estimated area of about 298.4 hectare. In terms of area, West Garo Hills was one of the most-affected districts with approximately 801 hectares which accounts for 16% of the total area under areca nut cultivation in the district, West Khasi Hills had 5%, South West Khasi Hills 20%, South Garo Hills 17%, East Garo Hills 1.7% and North Garo Hills 30% of affected areas.