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MAGURA, Apr 09: A good number of betel leaf growers of the district are in difficult situation due to root rot and fungal diseases of the plants.
The Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE), Magura, sources said a total of 115 hectares of land have been brought under the crop farming this season. Among 500 gardens, some 200 orchards are facing the problem.
In a recent visit, some betel leaf growers in Shatrijitpur, Gopalgram, Beroil Palita and Joirampur villages told this correspondent that they are frustrated as root rot and fungal diseases damaged their gardens. The poor farmers said they do not know how to recover the losses.
Farmer Protap Zoarder of Gopalgram village under Magura Sadar said he expected to make a profit of Tk 0.1 million from his two betel leaf gardens. But, he said, 80 per cent leaves of my orchards have already been damaged.
Tilam Hossein, a wholesaler of the district town, said betel leaf production is poor in the district this season. "We cannot supply the produce according to the traders", he added.
Magura DAE official Gobinda Kumar Zoarder said, "We are suggesting the affected farmers to apply anti-fungal medicine on their plants."