Govt to Raise Minimum Import Prices on Arecanut, says Shobha Karandlaje

Karnataka Updates: On Friday, Shobha Karandlaje, the Union Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare, said that the Karnataka government will increase the minimum import price of arecanut from Rs.251 to Rs. 351.

After kicking off the fifth three-day "Krishi Yantra mela" (farm machinery fair) on the grounds of Vivekananda College of Engineering and Technology, Karandlaje addressed the crowd and announced that the Union Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare had sent a proposal to the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) regarding raising the minimum import price.

The Union Ministry of Commerce will then need to make a final decision on the matter after receiving it from the DGFT.

The minister advised coconut and arecanut producers to plant oil palm as a companion crop since there is a market for palm oil, which is now imported. The nation must become self-sufficient in the production of edible oil. Farmers ought to work together on this.

According to Karandlaje, the government will release updated rules for allocating subsidies for the purchase of farm equipment and tools. The purchase of simple tractors shouldn't receive a significant portion of the subsidy.

Farmers should instead be able to buy additional farm equipment and tools that are necessary for everyday operations. Increased funding for the acquisition of these tools and machines will benefit a significant number of farmers.

According to the minister, there is a need for additional farm equipment and tools at customer-hire facilities around the nation. Therefore, more units will be added to the centers.

Karandlaje is urging young people to investigate the possibilities of making value-added coconut goods because there is such a high demand for items like coconut sugar, coconut milk, and similar items.