Tarun Karthick
Port Blair, 08 December 2023
In a significant meeting held in New Delhi on December 7, 2023, Mr. Vishal Jolly, National Executive Member of the BJP, engaged with Ms. Shobha Karandlaje, Hon’ble Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmers Affairs, Government of India. The focal point of discussion was the urgent need to exempt Arecanut (Supari) from the GST framework and designate it as the State Crop in the Andaman & Nicobar Islands.
Emphasising the pivotal role of Arecanut in the agricultural sector, Mr. Jolly underscored that 80% of farmers in the A & N Islands are reliant on its cultivation and trade. He accentuated how the entire agricultural economy of the islands is intricately tied to Arecanut production.
Highlighting the climatic challenges faced by the region, Mr. Jolly pointed out that the Islands are prone to cyclones, enduring heavy rainfall for approximately 8-9 months annually. The adverse weather conditions significantly impact the farmers, leading to substantial crop damage. However, since Arecanut is not categorised as a State Crop, the affected farmers are deprived of any compensation for their losses.
Moreover, Mr. Jolly shed light on the burden of Goods and Services Tax (GST) imposed on Dried Arecanut, amplifying the financial strain on the already distressed farmers.
Underscoring the immense dependence of 1.5 to 2 lakhs farmer families (comprising around 40% of the Islands’ total population) on Arecanut cultivation, Mr. Jolly earnestly appealed to the Hon’ble Minister to declare Arecanut (Supari) as the State Crop. He further urged the removal of Arecanut from the ambit of GST, considering the precarious situation faced by the farming community.
In response, the Hon’ble Minister acknowledged the gravity of the issues presented by Mr. Jolly and assured prompt and affirmative action to address these concerns, signalling a commitment to support the welfare of the islands’ farmers.