Magura farmers turn fortune around with betel leaf cultivation

MAGURA, Mar 25: After sustaining heavy losses in betel leaf cultivation last year, the farmers of Magura have turned their fortunes around this year as the crop brings handsome profit for them.
Some 139 hectares of land have been brought under betel leaf cultivation this year, which is expected to yield over 2.23 billion pieces of betel leaves, according to sources at the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE), Magura. About 700 farmers have been growing betel leaves in Alidhani, Bata Jore, Babur Hut, Golabathan, Joka, Norihati, Shatrajitpur and Shibrampur villages under Magura Sadar Upazila.
Mihir Kanti, a farmer of Alidhani, said he has bought two bighas of land under betel leaf cultivation. He said he will secure Tk 400,000 in profit after investing about the same amount of money. So far he has sold betel leaf worth Tk 500,000 and has been expecting Tk 300,000 more from sales.
Shunil Shikder of Batajore said, "We are now selling betel leaf at Tk 160-170 per poun, which was Tk 80 last year." Eighty pieces of betel leaves makes up a poun.
"Last year we had to suffer losses in betel leaf due to low price. But this year we shall be able to make high profit covering last year's losses as the price is high," Shunil further said.
Farmer Alamgir Hossen of Babur Hut said it costs about Tk 200,000 for cultivating betel leaf on per bigha of land. He said he has been expecting Tk 600,000 in profit after growing betel leaves on three bighas of land. "Such profit is not possible from any other crops like paddy, jute or vegetables."
Md Robiul Islam, agriculture marketing officer in the district, said betel leaf growers in the district have been making high profit this year as the selling price is much higher compared to last year. "As a high investment is required in betel leaf cultivation, high profit will comfort them (farmers)."
Apurba Kumar Sarker, additional deputy director of DAE, Magura, said, "Bumper production and high price have sent a wave of joy among the betel leaf growers in the district." He said they are optimistic that betel leaf cultivation will increase next year as farmers are satisfied with how the cultivation has turned out for them this year.

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