Areca Nut Cultivation in Assam: A Case Study of Kamrup District

Abstract

Areca nut is the symbol of hospitality in Assam. It is a part of people’s daily life in Assam so as part of Assamese culture. Today, areca nut comes under the major commercial crops in Assam and over the times its importance increasing due to the easy selling practice, attractive price, higher return on investment, and so on. By looking at all the advantages of the areca nut cultivation more and morefarmers shifting towards areca nut cultivation and it’sbecoming a source of livelihood in rural Assam, especially in hilly areas.Moreover, due to technical innovation in ago-based industries, now it is possible to make eco-friendly plates from areca nut leafsand people are using it extensively instead of plastic plates. In this study,it is tried to provide an idea about the costs of areca nut cultivation, potential revenue, labor participation, scope of multi-cultivation, problem involves in cultivation and its potential solution, providing a special preference to the Kamrup district of Assam.