COX'S BAZAR, Mar 14: The betel leaf cultivation is decreasing in the district due to price hike of raw materials, lack of capital, shortage of insecticides and absence of proper marketing facilities.
The farmers are being discouraged to grow the betel-leaf which is causing sufferings to innumerable growers who are living in miserable conditions. On the other hand the government incurs losses of huge amount of foreign currency.
According to sources, betel-leaf can fetch cash income to growers throughout the year. The betel vines are grown in all season under tropical climate condition.
DAE sources said Moheshkhali upazila is well-known for betel-leaf cultivation. The main productive areas are Boro Moheshkhali, Choto Moheshkhali, Shaplapur, Hoanak, Kalarmar Chara and Kutubjoom. Due to high price of raw materials betel-leaf cultivation dwindled in these areas during the last ten years.
The prices of bamboo, jute sticks, ropes, oil cake which are most necessary elements to cultivate the betel leaf have gone beyond the reach of the poor farmers. The habit of taking betel leaf commonly known as 'Paan' is very popular in the district as elsewhere of the country that bears a long tradition. It has been chewed by all class of people at all times.
It is used in any social occasion which is considered to be very suspicious. Regular users said that the habit of betel leaf taking is very difficult to give up. In the past the betel leaf cultivation and business was limited to the Hindu community who were supposed to know the cultivation technique. But at present its plantation has been familiarised among the Muslim farmers of course with necessary knowledge and it has been gaining a huge profit in the locality. Moheshkhali upazila is the best production area in the district as well as other parts of the country.
Betel leaf farmer of Boro Moheshkhali Ruhul Kader said betel leaf cultivation requires more cost than before. Materials to prepare the garden have become costly.
He said a piece of is bamboo is being sold at Tk 200 to Tk 250 while it was Tk 100 to Tk 150 earlier.
Moheshkhali Upazila Betel Leaf Farmers' Association President Mohammad Shah Alam said about Tk 0.6 million is needed to cultivate the crop on one acre of land. Additional expenses are also necessary to protect the betel-leaf gardens from diseases and pest attack.
Deputy director of DAE AKM Shahriar said at present farmers are cultivating betel leaf on 3,000 acres land across the district.
According to sources, poor communication system in the remote areas is hampering the marketing facilities.
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