Betel leaf farming burgeoning in Rajshahi

Betel leaf cultivation is gaining popularity among Rajshahi farmers as it is profitable and requires less cost for cultivation compared to many other crops. Betel leaf farming has been attracting a lot of farmers since they are yielding increased profit in the last couple of years.

Betel leaf is specifically chosen for its potential profitability when traditional crops like paddy and jute are proving less profitable. The burgeoning betel leaf industry in Rajshahi has generated numerous employment opportunities too.

According to the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) Rajshahi branch, the district has produced 76151.82 tonnes of betel leaf on 4499.23 hectares of land and earned Tk 1561.9 crore in the 2020-21 fiscal year. In 2019-2020 fiscal year, the district has produced 72330.34 tonnes of betel leaf on 4311 hectares of land, confirmed Deputy Assistant Agriculture Officer of DAE Mehedi Hasan.

Rahima Khatun, upazila agriculture officer of Mohanpur, Rajshahi, told The Business Post that one kilogram (kg) of betel leaf sells for Tk 250, 10kgs for Tk 2,500 and 1000kgs of betel leaf sells for Tk 2.5 lakh in the local markets.

Farmers are becoming more and more interested in betel leaf as the soil and climate of Rajshahi are suitable for betel leaf farming. The demand for betel leaf, which is chewed with betel nut for their combined stimulant effects, is growing among people. As a result, the farmers of Rajshahi are benefiting economically as well as contributing to their socio-economic development.

After meeting the local demand, the leaves are being exported abroad. The 72,764 farmers of this region are not only contributing to the overall economy but also adding to the export earnings of the country, the DAE sources said.

Farmers said that two types of betel leaves — sweet betel leaf and sanchi betel leaf — are being cultivated in nine upazilas of Rajshahi. However, the sweet betel leaf remains the first choice of the consumers and so are the cultivators. The leaves grow slowly and mature for sale in 5-6 months after plantation. Then it can be harvested for marketing in every 8-10 days.

On visits to the local markets of Puthiya, Mohanpur, Paba, Tanore etc. upazilas, the small-sized betel leaves are sold at Tk 1500 medium-sized at Tk 2500 and large-sized at Tk 3,500, per 10 kilograms.

Ali Hossain Riyad, a farmer of Mohanpur upazila’s Mougachhi village, told The Business Post that he earned Tk4 lakh to Tk 6 lakh, producing betel leaves on his 10 kathas (0.066 hectare) of land.

He said, “Betel leaf has become one of the most cash crops in Rajshahi. We call it ‘Sonar Pata’ (golden leaves) as it is the most profitable of all crops.”

“I have earned Tk 16 lakh from my 30 katha (0.20 hectare) of land,” he further said.

A betel leaf trader of Baghmara upazila, Abdus Sattar, told The Business Post that the demand for betel leaf in the local and global market is immense.

He said, “I collect betel leaves from the distant villages of Rajshahi region and sell those in different districts. I usually earn Tk 70,000 each month from my business.”

Addressing the issue of country’s import of betel leaf from India, he said, “There is no point in importing betel leaves from other countries as the production in these areas is enough to meet the local demand. Not only that the surplus can also be exported, adding to the country’s export earnings.”

KJM Abdul Awal, deputy director of the Rajshahi District Agriculture Extension Department, told The Business Post that betel leaf is not just an appetizer but it is full of medicinal properties.

“People in our country traditionally consume betel leaf as a dessert in different festivals, such as marriage ceremonies, birthdays, and Pohela Baishakh. But its use in the pharmaceutical industry has made it an undisputed success in the agriculture industry of Bangladesh.”

“We are trying to train up the farmers about the scientific methods for farming betel leaf, eyeing boost in their production. If the government takes sustainable measures to assist the farmers, they can contribute to the country’s overall economy and fatten the forex reserve of the country,” he further said.