China approves Indian arecanut for imports

Chinese consumers have been increasingly using arecanut-based mouth fresheners to quit smoking

Here is some good news for arecanut farmers, who were under pressure due to steep drops in prices.
 
Arecanut grown in India has received certification from China, and this has opened up new markets for farmers.
 
But the challenge remains the price, which is not viable for Karnataka growers because the production cost there is high, while it will help farmers in Assam.
 
M Suresh Bhandary, managing director, The Campco Ltd, a co-operative of arecanut and cocoa farmers, said that arecanut from the Shivamogga, Puttur and Coimbatore regions had been processed at a plant in Puttur and