Betel leaf prices in Shariatpur are falling day by day, and growers are not recovering even their production costs. Many face heavy losses. Some keep farming on borrowed money, while many are giving up. Growers say government incentives would bring back better days.

According to the district Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) and local sources, betel leaf is grown on 316 hectares across Shariatpur's six upazilas, mostly in Sadar, Bhedarganj and Gosairhat. The crop has been grown here for a long time, and the soil suits it, producing good-quality leaves. They are sold in Noakhali, Cumilla, Chattogram and Chandpur, travelling by river via Chandpur to markets in various districts.

A few years ago, Shariatpur's betel leaves were also exported to London, Saudi Arabia, Dubai and elsewhere. But for several years there have been no exports, and demand at home has fallen too. Farmers are struggling to cover costs, and many are abandoning their betel vineyards for other crops.

Abdur Razzak Howlader of Putijuri in Bhedarganj upazila has grown betel leaf for more than 30 years. Leaves from his three vineyards have been exported to London, Saudi Arabia and Dubai. But with exports stopped and demand falling at home, he is losing large sums and is asking the government for help to avoid ruin.

"Shariatpur grows very good betel leaf. I was sending leaves abroad only a few years ago. But prices have fallen for several years and nothing is exported now. We are in great trouble. I spent Tk 8 lakh setting up three vineyards, Tk 4 lakh of it borrowed. The way things are, I will have to sell land to repay the loan. If the government gave us incentives for buying fertiliser, pesticide and oilcake, it would be possible to keep growing betel," Razzak Howlader said.

Other growers in the district are in the same position, unable to cover even daily costs. Fertiliser, pesticide and oilcake prices have risen while demand for betel leaf has fallen. With the sums not adding up, growers fear the crop may soon collapse, and they want government support.

Grower Mohammad Hannan Khan said: "The betel market is very low now. It doesn't cover our costs. This time I'm spending entirely from my savings. How long can that last? I won't even be able to hire labourers. If the government helped this crop like others, we would keep it going."

Another grower, Mintu Majhi, said: "There's no business in our vineyards any more. Last time I sold a bira of leaves for Tk 80; this time the same sells for Tk 35. Every day the vines have to be tied and workers hired, and leaf sales don't cover it. If the government gave subsidies as for other crops, we would be fine."

The agriculture department says no incentive has yet been given to betel growers, but the district agriculture officer has promised to speak to higher authorities soon and stand by the farmers.

Mostafa Kamal Hossain, deputy director of the DAE in Shariatpur, said the betel leaf grown in Shariatpur is of very good quality, but the government has not yet given incentives to growers. "We will talk to higher authorities so that they receive incentives. With incentives, betel farming can do much better," he said.

Source: Jagonews24. First published in Bengali on The Agro News.