Threats and prospects of arecanut cultivation in Karnataka: an economic study


Book Description

The term arecanut (Areca catechu L.) means the cluster of nuts. Emergence of the value added arecanut products have given a real boost to arecanut economy in India. Primary data on cost of cultivation of arecanut, perception regarding the constraints and awareness with special focus on emerging alternative arecanut products were collected from the sample farmers, consumers and traders of the sample area. The major source of data for the study was the sample farmers chosen from the selected taluks Viz., Thirthahalli, Kadur, Puttur, Vittla, Tumkur and Hollakere. The data pertain to the consumers and traders were collected from the selected districts namely Shimoga, Mangalore and Bangalore. In order to examine factors influencing the gross returns in arecanut, a regression analysis was carried out. Initially different types of functional forms were examined based on the co-efficient of determination (R2), adjusted R2 and Akaike Information Criterion. Finally the linear form chosen as a better fit based on the explanatory power, which is the co-efficient of determination (R2) and the significance of regression co-efficient. The dependent variable included in the model was gross returns in arecanut. Garret ranking were used to analyze the perception of farmers on production, market and policy based threats. Willingness to consume nutriceutical arecanut products logit analysis was conducted. The secondary data on alternative uses of arecanut were used to analyse the returns from alternative/potential uses of arecanut. Arecanut economy is currently facing crisis from several fronts. Legal Intervention to ban some of the value added products like ghutka is one of the threats which can curtail the demand considerably. Keeping these in background the present study has made an attempt to study the cost of cultivation, major threats, alternative uses of arecanut and awareness among consumers and traders.




Sustainable Uses and Prospects of Medicinal Plants


Book Description

Sustainable Uses and Prospects of Medicinal Plants presents information on less known and underexplored medicinal plant species in various regions of the world. The book investigates current advances in medicinal plant science and includes detailed information on the use of green nanotechnology, characterization of plants, conservation, revitalization, propagation, and pharmacological activities of selected plants. A volume in the Exploring Medicinal Plants series, it collects information on less known medicinal plant species in various regions of the world for documentation profiling their ethnobotany, developments in their phytochemistry, and pharmacological activities and provides an in-depth look at some specific herbal medicines of importance, threatened and less known species and addresses sustainable utilization and conservation of medicinal plants to ensure existence and use. Appropriate for plant and biodiversity conservation organisations, community leaders, academicians, researchers, and pharmaceutical industry personnel, the book comprises innovative works with information of what is expected to address sustainability in the future.



















Betel-quid and Areca-nut Chewing and Some Areca-nut-derived Nitrosamines


Book Description

A working group of sixteen experts from seven countries re-evaluated the evidence of the carcinogenicity of betel-quid and areca-nut chewing and some areca-nut related nitrosamines. Betel-quid and areca-nut chewing are widely practised in many parts of Asia and in Asian-migrant communities elsewhere in the world. There are hundreds of millions of users worldwide. They evaluated betel quid with tobacco as carcinogenic to humans (Group 1) on the basis of sufficient evidence of an increased risk of cancer of the oral cavity, pharynx and oesophagus. The working group reviewed epidemiological studies of human cancer, mainly studies from India, Pakistan and Taiwan (China). Studies on betel quid with tobacco and areca nut with tobacco in experimental animals now also provide sufficient evidence of carcinogenicity. The working group also evaluated betel quid without tobacco as carcinogenic to humans (Group 1), on the basis of sufficient evidence of an increased risk of oral cancer. Studies on betel quid without tobacco and areca nut without tobacco in experimental animals now also provide sufficient evidence of carcinogenicity. Areca nut, a common ingredient of betel quid and many different chewing preparations, including those available commercially, has been observed to cause oral submucous fibrosis