Exportable betel leaf dwindles

A partial view of a betel leaf field at a village in Barisal, damaged by unfavourable weather this year.. PHOTO: STAR

The price has increased four to five times over that of last year, farmers and traders said.

Nine upazilas in Barisal, Barguna, Jhalakati, and Pirojpur districts are famous for producing good varieties of betel leaf, most of which are exported to countries in Europe, North and South America and the Middle East.

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The upazilas include Uzirpur, Gournadi, Agailjhara, Kathalia, Bamna, Betagi, Vandaria, Kawkhali, Razapur, and Mathbaria.

Supplies to wholesale markets in the region have come down to one third in last one year, according to traders.

This corespondent visited some of the markets at Batajore, Shikarpur, Kathalia, Amua, Binapani, Niamoti, Betagi, Fuljhuri, Razapur, Baghri, Bamna, Ramna, Vandaria, Mathbaria, Kawkhali,

Mirukhali and Indurkani.

Traders gave a frustrating picture. The total daily sale in these wholesale markets has come down to around 5000 kuris (one kuri is equal to 5000 pieces of betel leaf) from around 1500 kuris, according to their estimate.

Prices have increased up to Tk 2000 per kuri (5,000 pieces of betel leaf) from Tk 800, depending on the variety, they said.

Some of the wholesalers said they even advanced money to growers but failed to get supplies.

The growers said adverse weather like excessive cold and fog and drought affect production. Long-lasting fog during winter this year affected the crop very badly, they said.

The Agricultural Extension Department (AED) in a survey in 1988 in 20 betel leaf growing districts found that three varieties of betel leaf -- Mitha (sweet), Saji or Sanchi and Gachh-- are grown in the country. Among these, the Mitha variety, which is the best and most popular, is mainly cultivated in southern districts.

Though an export-earning item, betel leaf cultivation never got any government patronisation. Even the AED has no arrangement to help and advise betel leaf planters.