Betel-leaf farmers face loss of Tk 100m due to fungal infection
Tuesday, 26 August 2008
JHALAKATI, Aug 25 (UNB): Farmers of the district may lose 50 per cent production of betel-leaf and incur a loss of Tk 100 million due to fungal infection this season.
After cyclone Sidr hit the district on November 15, 2007, the growers restarted betel-leaf cultivation with the government assistance but fungal attack has shattered all their hopes.
Agriculture Department said the disease had attacked the gardens last week but the farmers failed to check it even after using Dythen M-45 and other fungicides on their fields.
They said farmers have brought 524 hectares of land under the betel-leaf cultivation in the district with a hope to earn Tk 282.9 million this season.
Of the total, 189 hectares have been cultivated in Sadar Upazila, 155 hectares in Kathali, 140 hectares in Nalchhiti and 40 hectares in Rajapur Upazila.
Per tonne betel leaf was sold between Tk 30,000 and Tk 40,000 during the rainy season while between Tk 60,000 and Tk 70,000 in winter season.
But at present, the growers were apprehending huge loss due to the fungal infection in the betel-leaf gardens. Schoolteacher Harey Krishna Hawlader said that he would lose 70 per cent of production of betel-leaf due to the disease that attacked the gardens recently.
After cyclone Sidr hit the district on November 15, 2007, the growers restarted betel-leaf cultivation with the government assistance but fungal attack has shattered all their hopes.
Agriculture Department said the disease had attacked the gardens last week but the farmers failed to check it even after using Dythen M-45 and other fungicides on their fields.
They said farmers have brought 524 hectares of land under the betel-leaf cultivation in the district with a hope to earn Tk 282.9 million this season.
Of the total, 189 hectares have been cultivated in Sadar Upazila, 155 hectares in Kathali, 140 hectares in Nalchhiti and 40 hectares in Rajapur Upazila.
Per tonne betel leaf was sold between Tk 30,000 and Tk 40,000 during the rainy season while between Tk 60,000 and Tk 70,000 in winter season.
But at present, the growers were apprehending huge loss due to the fungal infection in the betel-leaf gardens. Schoolteacher Harey Krishna Hawlader said that he would lose 70 per cent of production of betel-leaf due to the disease that attacked the gardens recently.