According to Chief Minister Lalduhoma, the Mizoram government has announced the establishment of two areca nut processing facilities in two districts in an effort to alleviate the difficulties encountered by regional growers. The North Eastern Council (NEC) has approved Rs 7.43 crore for the establishment of areca nut processing facilities at Chemphai in Kolasib district, close to the Assam border, and Zamuang in Mamit district, west Mizoram, Lalduhoma said while speaking at a state-wide training and seminar on the scientific method of areca nut cultivation and pest management in Aizawl.
He said that when the units are finished, he hopes they would help local areca nut growers with their issues, generate value-added goods, and open up marketing options. According to the chief minister, the illicit importation of areca nuts from Myanmar has had a negative impact on local areca nut growers, who have a difficult time selling their produce at fair prices. According to Lalduhoma, his government has been working very hard to stop the unlawful practice of smuggling Burmese areca nuts, and as a result, the illicit activity has much decreased, albeit it is now hard to totally stop.
According to him, farmers will be able to use the processing machines to make biodegradable disposable plates from areca sheaths or leaves, compost from areca nut peels, and dried and skob (water-soaked or soaked) areca nuts. According to Lalduhoma, 318 persons have requested for aid through the flagship program “Bana Kaih” (handholding) scheme, while 93 more have done so through the CM special package for areca nut farming.
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