GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE

LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO: 3833

ANSWERED ON:30.04.2007

STUDY ON UTILITY VALUE OF ARECANUT

(a) whether any scientific study on the utility value of arecanut and its by products, other than usage in pawn and gutkha has been undertaken;

(b) if so, the details and outcome thereof;

(c) the details of the technologies developed for production of other products; and

(d) the steps taken by

ANSWER

 MINISTER OF THE STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE (SHRI KANTILAL BHURIA)

(a) & (b): Yes, Sir. Scientific studies have been undertaken on the utility value of arecanut and its by products other than usage in pawn and ghutka at Central Plantation Crops Research Institute (CPCRI), Regional Station, Vittal (Karnataka) under Indian Council of Agricultural Research. The scientific studies showed that arecanut preparations can be used in tanning, fat could be extracted from arecanut and defatted arecanut could be used as a meal in compound feed formulations and fertilizers. Arecanut has been found useful in several confectionaries. Technologies have also been developed for preparing cups and plates from the arecanut leaf sheaths. Several entrepreneurs have adopted the technology and are producing the cups and plates from arecanut leaf sheaths.

(c) The technologies developed by the institute are

(i) use of arecanut leaf sheaths for preparing cups and plates;

(ii) utilization of defatted and de-tanned arecanut meal in compound feed formulation and fertilizer;

(iii) utilization of dried leaf sheaths for production of mushroom.

(d) The Government is promoting the post harvest management and processing of horticultural produce including arecanut. Commercial production of cups and plates from arecanut leaf sheaths has been established by the entrepreneurs which now provides additional income to the arecanut growers.