1.3. STATUS IN KARNATAKA
Karnataka is the major producing state in India. In Karnataka, Areca nut is cultivated as a garden crop. Areca nut is mainly produced in Shimoga, North Canara, Dakshina Kannada, Udupi, and Chikmagalore districts. In four decades area under Areca nut was tremendously increased that is nearly 400 times. More than 2 lakh farmer families are involved in the Areca nut cultivation. Areca nut could provide an assured employment to the extent of one crore man days annually.[7-8]