CAMPCO seeks Centre’s intervention against ‘data manipulation’ to project arecanut as carcinogenic by WHO

Sub : Geo

Sec: Eco Geo

Context:

The Central Arecanut and Cocoa Marketing and Processing Cooperative Limited (CAMPCO) has accused the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), under the World Health Organization (WHO), of manipulating data to label arecanut as carcinogenic.

Key Allegations by CAMPCO:

Misrepresentation of Data:
- The original study by Gupta et al. (1998) cited in the IARC Monograph (Vol 85, 2004) focused on tobacco use among subjects with oral submucous fibrosis (OSF).
- The IARC report allegedly altered the table’s title to include arecanut, leading to misleading conclusions.
Inflated Sample Sizes:
- The original sample size in Gupta et al.’s study was 1,786 (arecanut users) out of a total of 5,018 subjects.
- In the IARC Monograph, these figures were inexplicably increased to 11,786 and 15,018, respectively.
Inclusion of Mawa:
- Mawa, a mixture of arecanut, tobacco, and slaked lime, was categorized under arecanut usage.
- CAMPCO questioned why such mixtures were attributed solely to arecanut and why the WHO-IARC overlooked this inconsistency.

Impact on Arecanut Farmers:

The distress among farmers has intensified due to the implications of this report.
The allegations of manipulation create a negative perception of arecanut, threatening the livelihoods of lakhs of farmers in Karnataka and Kerala, where arecanut is a key crop.

CAMPCO’s Demands

Intervention by the Indian Government:
- CAMPCO seeks to protect arecanut farmers from what it calls propaganda by international bodies.
Advanced Research:
- CAMPCO has requested studies by premier institutions such as AIIMS-New Delhi, CSIR-CFTRI-Mysuru, and IISc-Bengaluru.
- This would provide a fair scientific evaluation of arecanut.

Significance

Arecanut is a vital crop for India’s agricultural economy, particularly in Karnataka and Kerala.
Unfavourable findings could have widespread socio-economic consequences for farmers.
This case highlights the importance of scientific transparency and accurate representation in global health research.

About CAMPCO:

Founded by the Late Sri Varanashi Subraya Bhat in 1973 in Mangalore.
CAMPCO succeeded in uplifting the areca nut market and to this day ensures that the farmers get a very good return on their crop.
The company set up a chocolate manufacturing plant in 1986 in Puttur, a city in Dakshina Kannada district of Karnataka. The plant produces chocolates and other products of cocoa both under its own brand and also for other chocolate brands
CAMPCO’s products: Areca, Pepper, Cocoa, Rubber

Arecanut Crop:

Scientific Name: Areca catechu.
Common Names: Betel nut or supari.
Type: Perennial plantation crop.
Uses: Primarily consumed as a masticatory in betel quid (with betel leaves and lime) and used in pan masala and gutka.
Other Applications: Medicinal uses, cultural and religious rituals, and limited industrial applications.

Climate and Soil Requirements

Climate: Tropical and humid climate; thrives in areas with temperatures between 14°C–36°C and annual rainfall of 750–4,500 mm.
Soil: Prefers well-drained, fertile, and acidic to neutral soils. Commonly grown in laterite soils.
Shade Requirement: Requires partial shade, often intercropped with coconut or pepper.

Arecanut Production in India

Major Producing States

India is the largest producer and consumer of arecanut globally.
The primary producing states are: Karnataka (top producer, accounts for about 50-55% of total production), Kerala (Second largest producer), Assam (Leading producer in the northeastern region), Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, Maharashtra, Meghalaya.

Production Statistics

Annual Production: Approximately 1.4–1.6 million tonnes (varies annually).
Area Under Cultivation: Around 500,000 hectares.

Global Standing

Pests and Diseases:

Source: TH