Betel leaf trade booms in Hili

Betel leaf farmers of Dinajpur’s Hili are happy with bumper yield and high prices this season. The weekly betel leaf markets bustle with activities as trade goes on.

According to the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE), there are 156 betel leaf borouj (a greenhouse made of bamboo and coconut leaves) on 40 hectares of land in Hakimpur upazila of the district.

The betel leaf boroujes are located in Madhobpara and Ghasuria areas bordering the upazila. Every Sunday and Thursday a betel leaf market is organised in these areas.

Samiul Islam, from Birampur said, he comes to the weekly markets to buy betel leaves and export them to different districts. There is a huge demand of the betel leaves produced here locally.

Nazrul Islam, the owner of a betel leaf borouj in Ghasuriya village, said his family has been in betel leaf farming since his grandfather’s time. Betel leaf farming is more profitable than other crops in these areas.

“I can sell about 80 bira (per bira contains 64 leaves) of betel leaf worth Tk 4,000-5,000 every week. I work on the farm alongside hired labourers,” he said.

Hakimpur Upazila Agriculture Officer Dr Mumtaz Sulatana said, “The quality of betel leaves produced here is good. The field officers regularly provide the farmers with advice and other assistance.”