Mangalore: The CAMPCO, the apex body of areca growers of the region has requested the  state and union governments to announce an areca policy considering the fact that crores of people depended on areca cultivation as their livelihood.

This has been mentioned in a memorandum submitted to Chief Minister Jagadish Shettar by  CAMPCO Chief Konkodi Padmanabha at a meeting held between MPs, MLAs and co-operative presidents of areca growing areas at the Vidhana Saudha hall on Friday.

Other demands placed fourth in the memorandum are announcement of a special scientific package by the Union and the state for areca growers who have suffered losses due to Haladi Roga of areca grops,  to  rectify the Gutka ban list by excluding pan masala sans tobacco content and to declare areca as a medicinal plant.