Pics: Spoorthi Ullal
Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru (NJC)
Mangaluru, Sep 10 : The Central Arecanut and Cocoa Marketing and Processing Cooperative Limited (CAMPCO) has registered a strong financial performance during the 2025–26 financial year, recording a total business turnover of Rs 3,735 crore and a pre-tax profit of Rs 49.62 crore.
Addressing a press meet at CAMPCO, Varanasi Towers, Mission Street, Mangaluru, CAMPCO president S R Satish Chandra said the achievement reflected the organisation's continued commitment to its grower-members despite fluctuations in the arecanut market and challenges in the cocoa sector.
The board of directors has recommended a 14% dividend to members for the financial year, subject to approval by the General Body.
Satish Chandra said arecanut continued to be the backbone of CAMPCO's business. The cooperative sold 59,088.64 metric tonnes of arecanut worth Rs 2,985.19 crore, including red and white arecanut. Through its extensive procurement network and market intervention, CAMPCO continues to provide growers with a reliable marketing platform while supporting market stability and better price realisation.
He also highlighted the growing challenge posed by imports of arecanut into the domestic market. CAMPCO has urged the Central Government to take steps to completely prevent unfair and illegal imports and protect the interests of Indian arecanut growers.
The organisation has also called for 'One Nation, One Tax' and 'One Nation, One Market', pointing out that variations in state-level market taxes affect the arecanut trade.
Speaking about farmer welfare, Satish Chandra said CAMPCO continues to support intercropping and mixed cropping, particularly cocoa and pepper along with arecanut. More than one lakh cocoa seedlings were distributed to growers last year, with cocoa emerging as an important alternative crop in areas affected by yellow leaf disease.
CAMPCO has also strengthened its focus on value addition, research and new products. Research is being undertaken on the medicinal and other potential uses of arecanut, while the cooperative is exploring further opportunities to expand its product portfolio and markets.
For 2026–27, CAMPCO plans to focus on strengthening farmer services, expanding procurement centres, increasing value addition, widening domestic and international markets, promoting digital member services, supporting scientific research, extending soil-testing facilities and strengthening sustainable production practices.
With a strong base of more than 1.53 lac grower-members, an extensive procurement and marketing network and diversified business activities, CAMPCO continues to position itself as a farmer-centric cooperative committed to protecting growers' interests and ensuring better value for agricultural produce.
CAMPCO vice president Padmaraj Pattaje, director Purushotham Bhat, deputy general manager Govinda Bhat, and general manager and currently holding additional charge as managing director Reshma Maben were also present at the press meet.