The New Nation - Internet Edition

Our Correspondent, Sirajganj

The betel-leaf cultivation in the district is decreasing day by day due to price hike of raw materials, lack of capital, shortage of insecticides and absence of proper marketing facilities. The farmers are being discouraged to grow the betel-leaf which is causing suffering to innumerable growers who are living in miserable condition. On the other hand, the government incurs losses of huge amount of foreign currency.

Betel-leaf is in important cash crop in the district since long. It can fetch cash income to growers throughout the year. The betel is grown in all seasons under tropical climatic condition. Agriculture Extension Department sources told this Correspondent that, Raiganj and Tarash upazilas in Sirajganj district are famous for betel-leaf cultivation.

The main productive villages are Chandahikona, Rahimpur, Pabna bazar areas, Raguspour, Bhuerehas, Dhonkundi and Barobari. Due to high price of raw materials betel-leaf cultivation (Boroj) dwindled in this area during the last ten years. The prices of bamboo, jute sticks, ropes and oilcake which are most necessary elements to cultivate the betel-leaf have gone beyond the reach of the poor farmers.

The habit of taking betel-leaf commonly known as 'pan' is very popular in the district as elsewhere of the country that bears a long tradition. It has been chewed by all classes of people at all times. It is used on any social occasion which is considered to be very auspicious.

In the past the betel-leaf cultivation and business was confined to the Hindu community who were supposed to know the cultivation technique. But at present, its plantation has been familiarised among the Muslim farmers.

The Raiganj and its adjoining areas upazilas is the best production area in the district as well as other parts of the country.

Bamboo is the main construction material and the other materials are as bamboo sticks, straw, jute sticks, rope and wire, etc. are very costly to make on betel-leaf Garden by a poor betel-leaf farmer.

The betel-leaf cultivation is being hampered due to fungal diseases such as leaf spot, foot rot, mud insect-leaf hopper and other diseses.

Benlate and Malathin pesticides could control the diseases but are beyond purchasing capacity of the farmers.

When this Correspondent contacted a poor betel-leaf farmer Abdul Khaleq he told that he used to live happily with seven family members with the income of betel-leaf cultivation.

The raw materials were available and cheap earlier. But these are very costly at present, he added. For example, the price of one bamboo is Taka 150 to 180 while it was Taka 60 to 70 earlier, the straw is Taka 400 against Taka 100. Jute stick and oil cake price rose four times against its early prices.

About Taka 45,000 is required as capital to cultivate betel-leaf on one bigha of land. Additional expenses are also necessary to protect the plot from disease and pest attack. The bad transportation system of the remote area is also hampering the marketing facilities.