The New Nation - Internet Edition

UNB, Rajshahi

Betel-leaf growers in the district are in frustration as their new plantations are being infected by root-rotting disease.

Growers said many small betel-leaf farms have already been totally damaged while hundred others are in danger of extinction due to the attack of the infectious disease.

Sources said the root-rotting disease has broken out in Mohanpur, Durgapur and Bagmara upazilas. According to the growers the disease usually breaks out during the winter season. The betel-leaf plants, affected by the disease, gradually turn yellowish and dry up within 15 days causing huge loss to the growers.

If a betel-leaf farm is destroyed by the disease once, betel plants are not grown properly on those lands. Betel-leaf is second most profitable crop after paddy in the area. Many marginal farmers maintain their livelihood by cultivating the betel-leaf. A grower, Abbas Sarkar, of Ratugram village in Durgapur upazila said, "I am in distress as my two betel-leaf farms, out of four, were destroyed by the disease which again started spreading recently." "The growers are losing interest in betel leaf plantations as they are facing loss, he added. Local growers alleged the authorities concerned despite repeated appeals failed to take any effective measures to combat the disease.

Betel leaf of Rajshahi is popular in home and abroad as it tastes sweet. Department of Agriculture Extension sources said the root-rotting disease frequently breaks out as the growers are unaware about its proper farming. They said steps are underway to combat the spread of the disease.