Economics of Arecanut Producer - Study of Arecanut Producers in Asonora.
CHAPTER I
INTRODUCTION
INTRODUCTION TO ARECA NUT CULTIVATION
The term ‘Areca’ is taken up from the Malayan language that means ‘cluster of nuts’ The areca nut palm is the source of common chewing nut, popularly known as betel nut or Supari. In India it is extensively used by large sections of people and is very much linked with religious practices. India is the largest producer of areca nut and at the same time largest consumer also. It is one of the most important commercial crops in the Southeast Asia. The nut is cultivated in palm plantations and the tree as well as the nut has a never-ending list of uses i.e. for chewing purposes, as vegetable, as medicine, as stimulant, timber, fuel wood, clothing, wrapping, lubricant, tannin etc. When the nut is chewed along with the betel leaf, it increases the stimulating effect, though excessive consumption enhances the risk of cancer.
The areca nut is produced in two varieties - white variety Supari and red variety Supari. The first variety is prepared by harvesting the fully ripe nuts and drying them in sun for around 2 months and the other one is produced by harvesting the green areca nut, by boiling them and then by peeling off the outer husk.
India tops the list of major betel nut producing countries followed by China and Myanmar. Also India tops the major betel nut consuming countries’ list with almost entire list comprising of the countries from Asian continent.
HISTORY
The exact location of the origination of the areca nut is not known till date but it is said that the betel palm originally grew in the Southeast Asian region, most probably in Malaysia or Philippines in the ancient times. These areas still have the widest variety of the plantation belonging to the ‘Areca’ genus. The common practice and culture of chewing seeds is said to be as old as the origin of the plantation itself and has its roots in Vietnam and Malaysia. From the Southeast Asian land, the crop traveled to the rest of Asia and
INTRODUCTION
INTRODUCTION TO ARECA NUT CULTIVATION
The term ‘Areca’ is taken up from the Malayan language that means ‘cluster of nuts’ The areca nut palm is the source of common chewing nut, popularly known as betel nut or Supari. In India it is extensively used by large sections of people and is very much linked with religious practices. India is the largest producer of areca nut and at the same time largest consumer also. It is one of the most important commercial crops in the Southeast Asia. The nut is cultivated in palm plantations and the tree as well as the nut has a never-ending list of uses i.e. for chewing purposes, as vegetable, as medicine, as stimulant, timber, fuel wood, clothing, wrapping, lubricant, tannin etc. When the nut is chewed along with the betel leaf, it increases the stimulating effect, though excessive consumption enhances the risk of cancer.
The areca nut is produced in two varieties - white variety Supari and red variety Supari. The first variety is prepared by harvesting the fully ripe nuts and drying them in sun for around 2 months and the other one is produced by harvesting the green areca nut, by boiling them and then by peeling off the outer husk.
India tops the list of major betel nut producing countries followed by China and Myanmar. Also India tops the major betel nut consuming countries’ list with almost entire list comprising of the countries from Asian continent.
HISTORY
The exact location of the origination of the areca nut is not known till date but it is said that the betel palm originally grew in the Southeast Asian region, most probably in Malaysia or Philippines in the ancient times. These areas still have the widest variety of the plantation belonging to the ‘Areca’ genus. The common practice and culture of chewing seeds is said to be as old as the origin of the plantation itself and has its roots in Vietnam and Malaysia. From the Southeast Asian land, the crop traveled to the rest of Asia and