Betel leaf brings solvency to Rangpur cultivators

FE Team | Published: January 13, 2018 20:29:54

A cultivator takes care of his betel leaf garden in Rathirampur village under Rangpur Sadar on Saturday. — FE Photo

Our Correspondent
RANGPUR, Jan 13: The farmers at different upazilas including Rangpur Sadar, Mithapukur and Pirganj under the district are getting financially solvent through cultivation of betel leaf on their lands in recent years.
Presently betel leaf is being cultivated abundantly in many areas including Horgolli, Kisamat, Shiver Bazar, Chandaner Hat, Rathirampur, Jugipara, Bania Bazar at Horidevpur and mominpur union under Rangpur sadar upazila, Hindupara, Helencha, Hanchia at Mithapukur upazila and Shakhipur, Projapara under Pirganj upazila in the district.
Dilip kumar of Rathirampur Baniabazar village at Horidevpur union in Sadar upazila said that he has changed his fortune by cultivating betel leaf. He said earlier he was passing his days in severe financial problem and then he started cultivating betel leaf instead of other crops.
He said that he cultivated betel leaf on 22 decimals of land. "At present I earn Tk 50,000 to Tk 60,000 a year from its sale at a production cost of Tk 15,000 to Tk 20,000", he said.
Anup kumar, another betel leaf grower of Hindupara village at Mithapukur upazila said that a good number people of his area are engaged in betel leaf farming which is changing their financial condition.
He said that he cultivated betel leaf on 25 decimals of land. "Its growth is also satisfactory. At present I earn Tk 60,000 to Tk 70,000 a year from its sale", he added.
Growers said a betel-leaf plant can live for at least 15/20 years. Betel-leaf is sold in the markets within three to four months after the plantation. It can be harvested from every plant two to three in a week. Rainy season is risky for the crop as different diseases may occur during the season which affects its yield, they added.
Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE) official sources said due to rising demands and good profit farming of betel leaf is getting popular at different areas of under the district.
DAE is helping the growers with necessary suggestions to boost up its cultivation across the district, sources further said.
The local growers say that proper training, necessary advices and financial and technical assistances can enhance its production and also expand cultivation of the crop across the region.
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