MIA’s Cargo Terminal Handles Large Arecanut Parcel & CAMPCO Governing Board Not Happy
Mangaluru: The Mangaluru International Airport (MIA) facilitated the inbound handling of arecanut at its Integrated Cargo Terminal (ICT) this month. The red variety of arecanut weighing 1,519 kg in 60 bags, was ferried as belly air cargo from Agartala to Mangaluru. This is the highest quantity of the crop that the integrated cargo terminal has handled since it started domestic cargo operations on May 1, 2023, according to the MIA spokesperson.
The arecanut handled was procured by Srinivasa Supari Traders, a Shivamogga-based arecanut trading company. It marks the highest single-day inbound cargo that the ICT has handled since May 1, 2023. The ICT in the past had handled inbound parcels of arecanut, although in smaller quantities. The company representatives, who received the consignment, later transported the crop by road to Shivamogga for further processing. Airlifting of arecanut was also a first for the company, which otherwise regularly sources this crop by road from various parts of the country, including Agartala.
“The Integrated Cargo Terminal is facilitating seamless flow of various types of cargo– both to and from Mangaluru International Airport,” the airport spokesperson said. The ICT has emerged as one of the largest handlers of outbound post office mail cargo domestically. Export of seafood (live crabs) to international markets through domestic transit hubs is also a speciality of the cargo terminal. Since it commenced operations, the ICT has handled 2,714.3 tonnes of cargo, including 2,523.9 tonnes of outbound and 190.3 tonnes of inbound cargo. International cargo operations will commence in Feb 2024.
ILLEGAL IMPORT OF ARECANUT IS A THREAT TO LOCAL ARECANUT MARKET, says CAMPCO
Campco Limited has expressed concern over the escalating issue of illegal import of arecanut into the domestic market. “The cooperative has keenly observed the illicit entry of foreign arecanut through various channels, posing a dual threat to the local arecanut market and inflicting substantial financial losses on the government. The illegal import of arecanut through various channels” is posing a threat to the domestic market and resulting in substantial financial loss to the government. Arecanut is surreptitiously finding its way into the country, allegedly through the Integrated Cargo Terminal of Mangalore International Airport,” said A Kishore Kumar Kodgi, President CAMPCO, during a press meet on Tuesday, after MIA facilitated the inbound handling of arecanut weighing 1,519 kg in 60 bags as belly air cargo from Agartala in Tripura to Mangaluru at its integrated cargo terminal (ICT) in January.
Kishore Kumar Kodgi-President, CAMPCO
Kodgi added, “Upon arrival in Mangaluru, the imported arecanut is distributed to different regions, significantly impacting traditional arecanut cultivation areas, including the coastal and Malnad regions. This unlawful practice undermines the dedicated efforts of local farmers and cooperative organisations, destabilising arecanut prices and disrupting the livelihoods of those dependent on this vital agricultural sector. CAMPCO expresses deep concern over the escalating illegal import of arecanut into the domestic market. Arecanut is surreptitiously finding its way into the country, notably through the Integrated cargo terminal of Mangaluru International Airport. This unlawful practice undermines the dedicated efforts of local farmers and cooperative organisations in stabilising arecanut prices in the domestic market. It also disrupts the livelihood of those dependent on arecanut cultivation”.
“The government should take robust measures to counter the illegal import of arecanut. CAMPCO emphasises the urgency of thoroughly examining the origin, pricing, and accompanying documentation of imported arecanut. This helps in checking tax evasion and safeguarding the interest of arecanut growers in the country The cooperative has written to Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, Union Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal, and Chief Minister Siddaramaiah apprising them of the seriousness of the illegal import of arecanut. Simultaneously, CAMPCO urges the Karnataka government to address the matter of illegal arecanut trading within the State’s boundaries,” added Kodgi.
