Betel leaf farming increases in northern districts

JOYPURHAT, Feb 16: Betel leaf cultivation is increasing day-by-day in the northern districts since its cultivation boosts profit compare to other crops.

With the effort of farmers two types of betel leaves are being cultivated in the area, such as sweet betel leaf and Sanchi betel leaf. However, 80 per cent of the total cultivation is sweet betel leaf.

According to the sources of Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE), topographic and climatic conditions of some upazilas like Shibganj and Sadar upzila of Bogura, Pachbibi and Sadar upazilas of Joypurhat, Durgapur Bagmara Upazila of Rjashahi are very suitable for this cash crop farming.

By dint of hardworking and relentless efforts, the farmers have become self-reliant in the area. Witnessing their success many farmers of adjacent districts have been inspired and established 'baraj', unit of betel leaf farming, and they are now doing well. 

The farmers are showing more interest in betel leaf cultivation as it requires less cost for cultivation and irrigation compared to many other crops, said sub-assistant agriculture officers. They said, betel-leaf grown in the northern district has high demand at home and abroad for its quality and flavour. 

Amir Ali, a farmer of Pachbibi upazila of Joypurhat district said he has become self-reliant through betel leaf farming in his 32 decimals of land spending little amount of money this season as the authority concerned had provided all sort of necessary support.

Aminul, a farmer of Bagmara Upazila said he works very hard in the farming and pass most of his time in nursing betel leaf plants. Though, he has little formal education, he is now committed to making his offspring well-educated with his earnings.

The authority concerned said the leaf is also being exported to different Middle East countries and it has much demand in Saudi Arabia. Earlier, the farmers used to sell betel leaf at different local markets across region.

Shudhindranath Roy, deputy director of DAE in Joypurhat district, said we provide necessary farming technology to the growers of betel leaf together with disease control measures. 

Betel leaf farming is profitable compared to many other crops, he added.

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