Arecanut/Areca Palm

Context

• A Lok Sabha member urged the Union government to levy a hefty import duty on arecanut to check falling prices in the domestic market.

Areca Nut/Areca Palm

• About: 
  • Usually referred to as Areca palm, but has also been called yellow palm, butterfly palm, yellow butterfly palm, cane palm and golden feather palm.
  • The arecanut palm is the source of a common chewing nut, popularly known as betel nut or Supari. 
  • India is the largest producer of arecanut and at the same time largest consumer also. 
  • Major states cultivating this crop are Karnataka (40%), Kerala (25%), Assam (20%), Tamil Nadu, Meghalaya and West Bengal.
  • Originated in Madagascar and is widely grown outdoors in the tropics.
• Growing Condition:
  • The cultivation of arecanut is mostly confined to 28º north and south of the equator.  
  • It grows well within the temperature range of 14ºC and 36ºC and is adversely affected by temperatures below 10ºC and above 40ºC.  
  • Ideal rainfall – 750 mm to 4500 mm/ Irrigation
  • The largest area under the crop is found in gravelly laterite soils of red clay type.  It can also be grown on fertile clay loam soils.  Sticky clay, sandy, alluvial, brackish and calcareous soils are not suitable for arecanut cultivation.

Source: TH