Betel leaf from Barayadhala in Sitakunda upazila of Chattogram is famous across the country. The number of growers is falling day by day, but many are still in betel leaf farming to carry on their forefathers' tradition. Betel leaf is grown in several parts of the upazila, but cultivation stands out in the villages of Barayadhala union.

Sunil Chandra Nath grows betel leaf on 20 decimals in Mahadebpur village of Barayadhala union. He took up the work following his father. "My only son has a job, and my daughter is married," Sunil said. "I do this because to me it is like a job."

Priya Lal Nath and Sadhan Chandra Nath, farmers of Dharmapur village, are still growing betel leaf inherited from their forefathers. They say there were once many betel vineyards. They sell their leaf at the wholesale market at Mithachhara bazar in Mirsarai. Now, because of labour shortages and various diseases, the area under cultivation has fallen day by day, and they barely manage to feed their families from betel farming.

Betel growers in Barayadhala union take loans from Krishi Bank and make a good profit each year. They complain that although the government's Krishi Bank helps them with loans, year after year they never see anyone from the upazila agriculture office. Vine rot and "guti" disease cause considerable damage to the crop, and they take measures against disease on the advice of people from various pesticide companies and local pesticide shopkeepers.

Betel grower Sridham Nath said: "Barayadhala betel leaf is sent to Dhaka, Chattogram, Feni and other cities around the country. Wholesalers are keen to buy from the growers."

According to the Sitakunda Upazila Agriculture Office, betel leaf is grown on a total of 50 hectares, with 250 farmers producing 650 tonnes a year, most of it in various villages of Barayadhala union.

Denying the farmers' complaints, Sitakunda Upazila Agriculture Officer Krishibid Mohammad Habibullah said each area has a sub-assistant agriculture officer whose number the growers have. But he acknowledged that, as there are no government demonstration farms or other support for betel leaf, only advisory services can be offered.

Sitakunda Upazila Nirbahi Officer K M Rafiqul Islam promised to look into the complaint that the agriculture office does not provide advice to betel growers and take action. He advised the farmers to inform him in writing so that they can be brought under various government services.

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