Mangaluru: The Central Arecanut & Cocoa Marketing and Processing Cooperative (CAMPCO) has outlined significant achievements from 2020 to 2025, reaffirming its commitment to farmer welfare, scientific progress and cooperative-driven development. Founded in 1973 by visionary leader Sri Varanashi Subraya Bhat, CAMPCO continues to strengthen its mission of serving growers across Karnataka and Kerala—for the farmers, by the farmers, and to the farmers.
Strengthening farmer interests amid evolving challenges
CAMPCO reported sustained advocacy on behalf of growers at State and Central levels, safeguarding farmer livelihoods despite market volatility, illegal imports and pricing disruptions. The cooperative remained a stabilising force, ensuring that the arecanut sector withstood shocks and maintained remunerative pricing during difficult periods.
In the past five years, CAMPCO strongly opposed the classification of arecanut as carcinogenic and began preparing scientific dossiers to challenge the claim. A delegation met Dr Soumya Swaminathan at the M.S. Swaminathan Research Foundation in Chennai, seeking her expert guidance in representing India’s scientific position to the World Health Organization and the International Agency for Research on Cancer, referenced through the Arecanut .
Major breakthrough: National-level scientific study on arecanut
Following sustained representations, the Ministry of Agriculture approved a landmark, evidence-based study titled “Evidence-Based Research on Arecanut and Human Health”. Ten premier institutions—including AIIMS New Delhi, IISc Bengaluru, NIMHANS, KMC Mangaluru and NITTE University—were appointed to conduct the study under the leadership of ICAR–CPCRI.
This initiative aims to provide a comprehensive scientific evaluation of arecanut in its natural form, dispelling misconceptions and enabling policy clarity.
A parallel study from NITTE University found that arecanut extract displayed toxicity to cancer cells but not to normal cells, and did not harm Drosophila or zebra fish models—an encouraging indication of its safety profile.
Policy interventions securing market stability
CAMPCO successfully advocated for multiple policy corrections to protect grower interests:
- Arecanut removed from the Forest Produce List on the same day it was mistakenly included.
- Import norms revised—roasted arecanut imports under key HSN codes were shifted from “Free” to “Prohibited”.
- Minimum Import Price increased from ₹251/kg to ₹351/kg to curb unfair imports.
- Moisture content regulation: CAMPCO urged FSSAI to revise permissible moisture to 11 ± 0.5%, aligning with scientific recommendations for naturally dried arecanut.
These interventions prevented price crashes and restored fair-value markets for growers.
Price trends reflect strong market support
CAMPCO ensured remunerative pricing across categories despite fluctuations:
| Category | 2020 Range | 2025 Range |
|---|---|---|
| Areca – New | ₹240–₹320/kg | ₹360–₹485/kg |
| Areca – Chali | ₹320–₹380/kg | ₹360–₹525/kg |
| Areca – Red | ₹350–₹398/kg | ₹545–₹585/kg |
The cooperative also exported arecanut to the Maldives and relaunched its value-added Saugandh – Kaju Supari.
Advancing pepper and value-added products
Pepper prices increased from ₹300–₹330/kg to ₹565–₹665/kg over five years. CAMPCO also launched pepper sachets under the Kala Sona brand.
New agri-inputs introduced included CAMPCO Aayush organic manure, Poushtika micronutrient mix, Dolomite granulated lime and Maxwett wetting agent. Sales crossed ₹5.68 crore in 2025.
Modernisation of the Chocolate Factory (CCF)
CAMPCO’s Chocolate Factory underwent major upgrades with:
- New 500 KW and 600 KW solar projects
- ETP and STP upgrades with membrane-based water reuse
- Vertical ball mill (Bühler), refiner and butter press installation
- Expansion of powder plant and classifier mill
- New premium products including Dairy Dream, Fiesta, Crumbz, CAMPCO Bites, Dark Delight, and Dome Truffles
A dedicated coconut processing unit was also launched, along with CAMPCO Calpa Oil.
Farmer welfare and community support
CAMPCO disbursed ₹2.34 crore in medical and educational assistance, supporting surgeries, kidney transplants, dialysis and higher studies. The cooperative organised krishi melas, training sessions, cocoa farmer workshops and established a soil testing laboratory.
More than 120 staff were recruited, and extensive training programmes were conducted for quality enhancement and operations. Properties worth ₹40 crore were acquired, with ₹17 crore invested in infrastructure upgrades.
A Nitrogen Plant worth ₹60 lakh now enables long-term storage of arecanut for northern markets.
Digital transformation and ERP launch
The “CAMPCO SAKSHAM” ERP system—worth over ₹10 crore—was launched to modernise operations, enabling streamlined procurement, distribution and financial management.
National contribution and social responsibility
CAMPCO contributed ₹5 crore to the National Defence Fund, provided Covid-19 support, and donated a Samsung V6 Ultrasound Machine worth ₹29 lakh to Government Hospital, Kundapura.
Strong financial performance from 2020–2025
Turnover rose from ₹2,134 crore in FY 2020–21 to ₹3,631 crore in FY 2024–25, reflecting 70% growth in five years.
| Year | Turnover (₹ crore) | Profit/Loss (₹ lakh) | Dividend | Areca Incentive | Cocoa Incentive |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020–21 | 2,134.15 | 10,002.33 | 15% | Re 1/kg | ₹7.5/qtl dry; ₹4/kg wet |
| 2021–22 | 2,778.39 | 6,360.35 | 15% | Re 1/kg | ₹7.5/qtl dry; ₹4/kg wet |
| 2022–23 | 2,819.40 | –1,229.25 | NIL | — | — |
| 2023–24 | 3,346.80 | 598.98 | NIL | — | — |
| 2024–25 | 3,631.91 | 4,665.04 | 8% | ₹2/kg | ₹10/qtl dry; ₹6/kg wet |
A future rooted in cooperative strength
CAMPCO concluded its report by reaffirming its commitment to strengthening farmers’ livelihoods through science-based policies, market empowerment, modernisation and sustained cooperative values. The organisation credited its growth to the trust of its members and pledged to continue its mission with integrity and innovation.