Dakshina Kannada MP Capt Brijesh Chowta meets Piyush Goyal, discusses arecanut growers' issues
Dakshina Kannada MP Captain Brijesh Chowta met Union Minister for Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal in New Delhi to discuss protecting domestic arecanut growers from unfair competition and promote coffee cultivation as an alternative crop.
By : DC Correspondent
Update: 2025-02-07 15:47 GMT
Mangaluru: Dakshina Kannada MP Captain Brijesh Chowta met Union Minister for Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal in New Delhi to discuss protecting domestic arecanut growers from unfair competition and promote coffee cultivation as an alternative crop.
During the meeting, Captain Chowta highlighted the problems faced by arecanut farmers due to the influx of imported arecanut.
“The influx of foreign arecanut has led to unpredictable price drops, causing financial distress among local growers. I urge you to consider setting up a special task force to study this issue in depth, analyze the factors behind price fluctuations and quality differences, and explore ways to protect our farmers from these disruptions,” he stated in the letter.
Chowta also emphasized the need to promote coffee cultivation in Dakshina Kannada.
Chowta also emphasized the need to promote coffee cultivation in Dakshina Kannada, following up on his recent Unstarred Question No. 352 in the Lok Sabha. He requested an update on the Coffee Board’s survey assessing the feasibility of coffee cultivation in the district and urged the ministry to outline the next steps in supporting this initiative.
To further strengthen the prospects of coffee farming in the region, Captain Chowta also proposed the establishment of a Coffee Board satellite office in Mangalore.
“Having a dedicated office in the region will go a long way in providing technical support, conducting awareness programs, and equipping local farmers with the knowledge and skills they need to successfully cultivate coffee and improve their incomes,” he added.
Union Minister Piyush Goyal assured Captain Chowta that the ministry would examine these concerns and explore appropriate interventions to address the challenges faced by arecanut and coffee growers in Dakshina Kannada.