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Vitla / Puttur, 8 October 2026: A major scientific study is examining whether arecanut consumption is actually responsible for causing cancer in humans, with a clear answer expected within the next one or two years, ICAR-Central Plantation Crops Research Institute (CPCRI) Director Dr K. Balachandra Hebbar said.
He was speaking at an event held at the ICAR-CPCRI Regional Centre in Vittal.
Multi-institution research underway
“Evidence-Based Research on Arecanut and Human Health” project was launched in 2025 as a multi-institutional research programme. According to Dr Hebbar, the research is expected to be completed within the next two years and will provide scientific evidence on the relationship between arecanut and human health.
“Within one or two years, we will come up with a definite answer on whether arecanut is actually responsible for causing cancer in humans,” he said. Arecanut consumption and cancer study involves around 16 national and state-level institutions, according to information from the Central Government.
The participating institutions include AIIMS, National Botanical Research Institute (NBRI), Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB), Indian Institute of Science (IISc), JIPMER, Central Food Technological Research Institute (CFTRI), Kasturba Medical College, K.S. Hegde Medical Academy and SDM College of Medical Sciences and Hospital, among others.
Why the study matters
The issue of arecanut consumption and cancer has remained a major subject of public-health discussion, particularly in Karnataka and other arecanut-growing regions. For farmers, the research is also important because arecanut is a major commercial plantation crop and supports the livelihoods of thousands of growers.
Ongoing study is expected to examine the available scientific evidence in a comprehensive manner and provide clearer information on the impact of arecanut on human health.
Scientific evidence at the centre
Project is significant because it brings together experts from agricultural, medical and scientific institutions. Findings could provide a stronger scientific basis for discussions surrounding arecanut consumption and cancer, health communication and future policy decisions. Research is expected to be completed over the next two years, after which its findings could provide a clearer picture of the issue.
24 dwarf arecanut plants planted
During the programme, 24 tissue-culture dwarf arecanut plants developed by ICAR-CPCRI were planted at the regional centre for field trials. CAMPCO President S.R. Satheeshchandra, YSRHU Andhra Pradesh Director Dr S. Surya Kumari, ICAR-ATARI Bengaluru Director Dr M. Prabhakar and CPCRI Vittal Regional Centre Head Dr M.K. Rajesh were among those present.
Keywords: Arecanut consumption and cancer, Arecanut cancer research, ICAR CPCRI, Arecanut and human health, Arecanut research, Karnataka arecanut, Vitla News, Puttur Suddi, Puttur News Today, Citizen News Puttur