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Karnataka delegation meets Nirmala Sitharaman |
New Delhi, August 8, 2026: Arecanut farmers in Karnataka are facing pressure from rising farm input costs and concerns over illegal imports. A Karnataka delegation met Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in New Delhi on Friday and sought relief on both issues.
The delegation asked the Centre to reduce the GST on copper sulphate, also known as blue vitriol. It is used to prepare Bordeaux mixture, which farmers use to protect arecanut and black pepper crops from fungal diseases.
The delegation also urged the Centre to take strict action against illegal imports of foreign arecanut. The delegation included MP Kota Srinivas Poojary, MLA and Arecanut Mahamandal president Araga Jnanendra, and CAMPCO Managing Director Dr. B.V. Satyanarayana.
What the Delegation Wants
Four key concerns raised before the Union Finance Minister
Copper Sulphate GST
Bordeaux Mixture
Foreign Arecanut Imports
Domestic Growers
Farmers seek lower GST
Copper sulphate is an important input for arecanut and pepper growers. It is used along with lime to prepare Bordeaux mixture. Farmers use the mixture to protect their plantations from diseases, especially during the rainy season.
The delegation told the finance minister that the high GST on copper sulphate adds to the cost of cultivation. It sought a reduction in the tax to give some relief to farmers. The arecanut sector has earlier sought a reduction in GST on copper sulphate from 18% to 5%.
Concern over illegal imports
The second major concern is the illegal import of arecanut. Farmers and industry organisations have been raising concerns that foreign arecanut entering the country through illegal channels could affect the domestic market.
If cheaper imported arecanut reaches the market, growers fear it could put pressure on the prices of locally produced arecanut. For Karnataka farmers, this is an important issue as arecanut is a major plantation crop in several districts.
Why it matters to Puttur
The issue is also important for Puttur and Dakshina Kannada, where thousands of farming families depend on arecanut plantations.
Farmers already spend on labour, fertilisers, disease control and other plantation activities. Higher prices for crop-protection inputs can increase their costs further. At the same time, farmers need a stable market price for their produce. This leaves growers facing pressure at both ends - higher cultivation costs and concerns over market prices.
Two demands before the Centre
The delegation has therefore sought:
- Lower GST on copper sulphate used for agriculture.
- Stronger action against illegal foreign arecanut imports.
The demands are aimed at reducing the burden on growers and protecting the domestic arecanut market.
Keywords
Arecanut farmers Karnataka, Nirmala Sitharaman, copper sulphate GST, illegal arecanut imports, Puttur arecanut, CAMPCO