Betel nut has been closely associated with Bengali culture for ages in stories, chats, entertaining guests or at weddings. Almost every house in the southern region has betel nut trees.
It is learned that this tree of the Erica catechu species, once imported from the Philippines and the Nicobar Islands, is now being successfully cultivated in the country.
Once planted, it bears fruit within 4-5 years and continues for 30-35 years. As the production cost is low, and the income is three to four times higher than that of rice, many farmers are now turning to betel nut cultivation instead of rice.
Due to the favourable weather, locals are becoming interested in betel nut cultivation day by day. However, betel nut trees spread across 471 villages in four upazilas and 32 unions of Jhalakathi.
According to the Department of Agricultural Extension, betel nut has been cultivated on about 700-750 hectares of land in the district this season.
Farmers have received bumper harvest due to favorable weather and low disease incidence. Large-sized betel nuts are exported abroad, and the rest of betel nut is sent to different districts of the country, they said.
But many farmers have expressed disappointment as the market price is a bit low despite bumper harvest.
Currently, depending on the size of the betel nut, it is being sold for Tk220 to Tk250 per 210 pieces. In some markets, ripe betel nuts are being sold for Tk160-Tk180 per 210 pieces and Tk400-Tk450 per 210 pieces.
Betel nuts worth about Tk5 crore are being sold in 89 weekly markets in the district, including Chhatrakanda, Sarengal, Krittipasha, C&B Bazar, Bagri in Rajapur, Lebubunia, Badurtala, Napiterhat, Bhairabpasha in Nalchiti, Chakla Bazar, Kaikhali in Kathalia and Satani Bazar in Jhalokathi.
Saturia is one of the largest betel nut markets in the southern region. Every Tuesday, betel nuts worth Tk60-70 lakh are bought and sold here.
Hasmat Farazi, a farmer from Sarengal village in Sadar upazila, said that the yield has been much higher this time compared to the last few years, but its price is a little lower.
Hamid Uddin, a wholesaler from Chittagong, said that the quality of betel nuts in Jhalakathi is much better than that of other areas.
Munsur Ali Khan, a local businessman from Saturia-Naikathi, said that the taste and size of betel nuts in Jhalakathi are better than those in other places, so the profit from selling them is also higher.
Abdullah Al Mamun, Deputy Director of the Jhalakathi Agricultural Extension Department, said, farmers, wholesalers, traders and transport workers are all benefiting economically through betel nut sold locally.
Wholesalers buy betel nut and send it to warehouses in Chittagong, Khulna and Jessore by road and sea.
From there, it is exported to various countries, including India, China, Thailand and the Middle East and Europe.
"We want betel nut to become not just an agricultural product, but an exportable item. For this, we are providing training to farmers and trying to expand export market”, the DAE official added.
