Regional News

CAMPCO: A Cooperative’s Journey Rooted in Farmer Empowerment

By Editor

Posted on November 29, 2025

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CAMPCO: A Cooperative's Journey Rooted in Farmer Empowerment

Mangaluru : CAMPCO is actively engaged in challenging the classification of arecanut as carcinogenic, which has caused concern among growers. CAMPCO is compiling scientific research and preparing evidence-backed submissions that demonstrate arecanut, in its natural form, is non-carcinogenic. To guide this effort, a delegation met with Dr. Soumya Swaminathan (Former Chief Scientist of WHO) to seek advice on approaching the WHO and the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) for a scientific review. The international agencies have since requested scientific data to initiate a formal review.

A study by NITTE University provided important supporting evidence, reporting that arecanut extract was toxic to cancer cells but non-toxic to normal cells. The study also indicated that sole arecanut chewers were very few (0.15%), with no reported cases of oral cancer among them. Furthermore, CAMPCO successfully advocated for a major collaborative scientific study, “Evidence-Based Research on Arecanut and Human Health,” approved by the Ministry of Agriculture. This national-level research, aiming to dispel misconceptions, is being conducted by a committee comprising ten prestigious scientific and medical institutions (including AIIMS New Delhi, IISc Bengaluru, and Kasturba Medical College) under the leadership of ICAR–CPCRI.

Market Protection and Policy AdvocacyCAMPCO has consistently championed farmers’ causes at state and central levels, battling market volatility from illegal imports and GST-evading private traders. CAMPCO successfully pushed for the Minimum Import Price (MIP) for arecanut to be raised from ₹251/kg to ₹351/kg. The cooperative also ensured that the import policy for roasted arecanut was changed from “Free” to “Prohibited” for certain codes, with imports remaining free only if the CIF value is ₹351 per kilogram or above.CAMPCO requested the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) to amend regulations to officially recognize a moisture content level of $11 \pm 0.5\%$ as safe for dried arecanut, citing the current $7\%$ as scientifically unsuitable. CAMPCO is supporting a study at ICAR–CPCRI to provide scientific data for this claim. Additionally, CAMPCO intervened immediately and effectively when arecanut was unexpectedly included in the Forest Produce List, ensuring its removal on the same day.

Financial Performance and Product DiversificationCAMPCO has shown significant growth and diversification, ensuring fair returns for growers. Arecanut prices have substantially increased between 2020 and 2025 across all categories; for instance, the Areca – Red rate range went from ₹350–₹398/kg to ₹545 – ₹585/kg. The cooperative’s turnover saw a substantial increase of $70\%$ in 5 years, rising from ₹2,134.15 crore in FY 2020–21 to ₹3,631.00 crore in FY 2024–25. For FY 2024-25, a profit of ₹4665.04 lakhs was achieved, and an $8\%$ dividend was declared, alongside an Areca incentive of ₹2/Kg (No limit).The Chocolate Factory (CCF) has undergone massive modernization with key investments in sustainability and expansion, including a 500 KW Solar Power Project, advanced Effluent & Sewage Treatment Upgrades, and the installation of a Refiner and Butter Press (₹24.00 Crore). New ventures include establishing a dedicated Coconut Processing Unit which launched CAMPCO Calpa Oil. CAMPCO has also introduced branded Innovative Agri Inputs like CAMPCO Aayush (Organic Manure) and CAMPCO Poushtika (Micronutrient Mix), and initiated arecanut exports to Maldives.

Member Welfare and Infrastructure
CAMPCO prioritizes the welfare of its members through financial, educational, and technical support. ₹2.34 Crores were disbursed, benefiting 385 members with support for critical healthcare (e.g., surgeries, transplants) and higher education (PG, Ph.D. in Agri/Horti). Subsidised Copper Sulphate is provided to members at ₹40/-.

In terms of infrastructure and technology, CAMPCO acquired properties worth approximately ₹40 crore for future development and installed a Nitrogen Plant (₹60 lakh) to ensure long-term arecanut quality during storage. The cooperative successfully launched the “CAMPCO SAKSHAM” ERP System (₹10+ Crores project) on 01.04.2024, and is initiating a Growers’ Mobile App for real-time prices, crop care, and expert advisory. CAMPCO also contributed ₹5.00 crore to the National Defence Fund (NDF) and donated a Samsung V6 Ulltrasound Machine to the Government Hospital, Kundapura.

CAMPCO remains committed to sincerity, resilience, and innovation, ensuring a stronger and more prosperous future for its member farmers.