Rajbari farmers in distress due to ban on betel leaf export
Over 600 farmers from 26 villages fully depend on betel leaf farming in Baliakandi
A betel leaf farmer in Baliakandi upazila of Rajbari district Dhaka Tribune
Md Rashedul Hasan, Rajbari
Publish : 08 Jan 2022, 09:08 PMUpdate : 08 Jan 2022, 09:08 PM
Farmers of Baliakandi Upazila in Rajbari are losing interest in cultivating betel leaves owing to a suspension on exports as well as low prices for their produce in the local market.
Betel leaves from Rajbari had their market in eight different countries of the world but exports were stopped due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Over 600 farmers from 26 villages, who fully depend on betel leaf farming in the upazila, are anxiously waiting for the resumption of export of the item.
According to the Upazila Agriculture Office, farmers in the upazila cultivate two varieties of betel leaves. One of the varieties is known as the Mishti Paan and the other one is locally known as Sachi Paan. This year farmers in Baliakandi cultivated these two varieties on 88 hectares of land.
One of the farmers, Shyamol Sarkar, told Dhaka Tribune that betel leaf farming used to be a profitable profession. But due to the pandemic farmers in the area had been facing continuous losses. This year, however, farmers were hoping for better returns but their dreams were dashed by the devastating cyclone Jawad. Crops were damaged by the cyclone in many villages, leaving the farmers without hope, he added.
A betel leaf farmer in Baliakandi upazila of Rajbari district Dhaka Tribune
Another farmer, Ranjit Saha, said that the cost of betel leaf cultivation had gone up recently and that farmers were finding it really difficult to meet their cultivation expenses after the crop was sold.
Amit Saha, a local college student, told Dhaka Tribune that betel leaves cultivated in Baliakandi were reputed for their unique taste and had been exported to India, Pakistan, Bhutan, Maldives, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Saudi Arabia and Malaysia. Now since that door was closed, farmers were looking to cultivate other crops on their lands.
Another farmer, Azad Sheikh, said that the government could earn an increased amount of revenue from betel leaf export in the future if farmers were given easy loans alongside other assistance. He said that officers in the local agricultural office did not pass on tips to farmers in time, which caused another dilemma for farmers. As a result, their crops were damaged by bugs and other natural causes.
For his part, Baliakandi Upazila Agriculture Officer Anowar Hossain told Dhaka Tribune that the department was continuing its efforts for the resumption of betel leaf export from the upazila soon.
Rajbari farmers in distress due to ban on betel leaf export
Over 600 farmers from 26 villages fully depend on betel leaf farming in Baliakandi
Farmers of Baliakandi Upazila in Rajbari are losing interest in cultivating betel leaves owing to a suspension on exports as well as low prices for their produce in the local market.
Betel leaves from Rajbari had their market in eight different countries of the world but exports were stopped due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Over 600 farmers from 26 villages, who fully depend on betel leaf farming in the upazila, are anxiously waiting for the resumption of export of the item.
According to the Upazila Agriculture Office, farmers in the upazila cultivate two varieties of betel leaves. One of the varieties is known as the Mishti Paan and the other one is locally known as Sachi Paan. This year farmers in Baliakandi cultivated these two varieties on 88 hectares of land.
One of the farmers, Shyamol Sarkar, told Dhaka Tribune that betel leaf farming used to be a profitable profession. But due to the pandemic farmers in the area had been facing continuous losses. This year, however, farmers were hoping for better returns but their dreams were dashed by the devastating cyclone Jawad. Crops were damaged by the cyclone in many villages, leaving the farmers without hope, he added.
Another farmer, Ranjit Saha, said that the cost of betel leaf cultivation had gone up recently and that farmers were finding it really difficult to meet their cultivation expenses after the crop was sold.
Amit Saha, a local college student, told Dhaka Tribune that betel leaves cultivated in Baliakandi were reputed for their unique taste and had been exported to India, Pakistan, Bhutan, Maldives, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Saudi Arabia and Malaysia. Now since that door was closed, farmers were looking to cultivate other crops on their lands.
Another farmer, Azad Sheikh, said that the government could earn an increased amount of revenue from betel leaf export in the future if farmers were given easy loans alongside other assistance. He said that officers in the local agricultural office did not pass on tips to farmers in time, which caused another dilemma for farmers. As a result, their crops were damaged by bugs and other natural causes.
For his part, Baliakandi Upazila Agriculture Officer Anowar Hossain told Dhaka Tribune that the department was continuing its efforts for the resumption of betel leaf export from the upazila soon.