Pics: Dayanand Kukkaje
Daijiworld Media Network – Mangalore

Mangalore, Aug 21: "The areca nut growers of Dakshina Kannada district and several others have incurred a huge loss due to rots and yellow diseases. Hence the BJP has formed a Horata samiti which will include farmer associations and others led by Campco in order to seek special package from the government," said former minister Nagaraj Shetty.

Addressing the media at the district BJP office on Wednesday August 21, Shetty said "the Horata Samiti members will meet at Shimoga on August 25 for action plan. The loss incurred by areca nut growers in Dakshina Kannada is more as rains were continuous. As a result around 50 to 60% of the growers have incurred huge loss."

Adding to that Campco will be organizing various programmes to bring stability in prices, he said.

Nagaraj Shetty further said the samiti irrespective of politics will fight for areca nut growers and will demand government to provide compensation to them and also asked government to accept Gorak Singh report on arecanut diseases along with implementing the recommendations mentioned in it.

BJP district president Padmanab Kottary, vice president and Campco director Sanjeev Matandoor were present at the press meet.