Lakshmipur Correspondent:

In the coastal district of Lakshmipur, the production of betel nut is increasing day by day due to the favorable weather conditions and the adoption of modern methods. As a result, the interest of the farmers of this district in betel nut cultivation is increasing. The betel nut produced here is being supplied to different parts of the country after meeting the needs of the district. Due to the good demand and price of betel nut, the interest of the farmers in betel nut cultivation is also increasing. Most of the farmers are getting quite profitable by cultivating betel nut as there is no risk of cultivation like other crops. This time, the District Agriculture Department is expecting to produce betel nut worth about one thousand crore taka.

According to the District Agriculture Extension Department, there are currently about 7,360 hectares of land, both small and large, in the 5 upazilas of the district. Once planted, betel nut trees give continuous yield for 25-30 years without any maintenance. About two and a half to three metric tons of betel nut are produced per hectare.

This time, a target of about 20,500 metric tons of betel nut production has been set in the district. Betel nut is sold at 2500 to 2800 taka per kaon (16 pon). Accordingly, the market price has been set at a thousand crore taka. However, last year, betel nut was sold at 1700 to 2200 taka per kaon. This time, betel nut is being sold at 4/500 taka more than last year.

Due to favorable weather conditions and adoption of modern methods, betel nut production is increasing day by day in this region. Farmers are getting more profitable compared to other crops due to low production costs. Farmers in this region are more inclined towards betel nut cultivation as there are fewer insect and spider attacks or diseases in betel nut gardens.

The betel nut produced here is going to various districts of the country including Dhaka, Chittagong, Rajshahi, Khulna, Mymensingh, Sylhet, Rangpur and Srimangal to meet the demand of the district. Betel nut markets are held in at least a hundred places including Dalal Bazar, Rasulganj, Charruhita, Bhabaniganj, Mandari, Joksin, Chandraganj and Raipur Bazar, Mitali Bazar, Haiderganj, Mirganj, Rakhalia, Basabari, Keroa Mollar Hat, Nayar Hat, Jorpul, Kazir Dighi Par, Kapilatli, Khaser Hat, Bahar Ali Mollar Hat, Akhon Bazar, and Steel Bridge areas of Lakshmipur Sadar Upazila. Betel nut traders and farmers are now passing a busy time.

Betel nut farmer Monir Hossain Mollar of Mollar Hat, Ripon Bepari of Keroa Mollar Hat, and Nur Nabi of Dalal Bazar area said that this time the betel nut yield has been good. Farmers are happy with it. However, the price is slightly higher than last year. Each pound of betel nut is sold for 150 to 250 taka depending on the type. The price is also much better than last year. It does not cost much to take care of betel nut. Once a tree is planted, betel nut is available for a long time. Lakshmipur district is famous for betel nut.

Traders say that farmers are increasingly leaning towards betel nut cultivation because the cost of care and maintenance of betel nut trees is low, and there are fewer attacks of insects and spiders or diseases. As a result, the people of this region hope that this betel nut can play an important role in economic development in Lakshmipur.

Deputy Director of the District Agricultural Extension Department Md. Zahir Ahmed said, this time about 20 thousand metric tons of betel nut are produced. The market value of which is worth thousands of crores of taka. Day by day, betel nut farmers are adopting scientific methods and the yield is getting better. The level of betel nut cultivation in crop production is increasing day by day. Farmers are getting benefited. Farmers are being advised constantly from the Agriculture Department.