Farmers in the southern districts, particularly in Jhalokathi, are making good incomes from betel nut compared with paddy, as the income from the staple crop sees a gradual decline, while betel nut continues to attract good prices.
Currently, Jhalokathi district has an all-across spread of betel nut trees in its 471 villages under 32 unions of four upazilas.
This season, the district saw bumper harvests of betel nut, grown in 700鈥�750 hectares of land, according to the Department of Agricultural Extension, which also said that a favourable weather condition and healthy trees helped secure the good yields.
DAE officials said that large-sized betel nuts were exported and the smaller ones headed for the local markets in different districts.
Many farmers, like Hasmat Farazi from Sarengal village in Sadar upazila, however, have expressed disappointment as market prices are a bit low this season, which traders said was caused by the large supply due to the bumper yields.
Hasmat said that the yield was much higher this season than that of the last few years.聽
Currently, depending on the size of the betel nut, 210 pieces, the local unit to sell the crop to the wholesalers, are sold between Tk 160鈥�180 and Tk 220鈥�250.
Visits to several markets have found betel nuts are retailing for Tk 400鈥�450 per 210-piece unit this season.
At this time of the crop鈥檚 harvest season, farmers and wholesalers busy in activities at the betel nut corners is a common scene at the weekly markets.聽
Local traders estimate that the crop is yielding a trade worth around Tk 5 crore every week from the district鈥檚 89 weekly markets, known as haat.
These weekly markets in the district, among others, include Chhatrakanda, Sarengal, Krittipasha, C&B Bazar, Bagri and Saturia in Rajapur upazila; Lebubunia, Badurtala, Napiterhat, Bhairabpasha in Nalchiti upazila, Chakla Bazar and Kaikhali in Kathalia upazila; and Satania Bazar in Sadar upazila.
Saturia Supari Haat in Rajapur upazila is the busiest hub for the crop in the country鈥檚 southern region where every Tuesday, the weekly day for the market, betel nuts worth Tk 60鈥�70 lakh are traded, according to traders鈥� estimate.
They also said that located between Rajapur, Pirojpur and Kaukhali regions, Saturia was one of the largest betel nut markets in the country where wholesalers come from around the country.
Hamid Uddin, a wholesaler from Chattogram, said that the quality of betel nuts in Jhalokathi was much better than that of the other areas.
Munsur Ali Khan, a local businessman from Saturia-Naikathi, said that the taste and size of betel nuts in Jhalokathi were better than those in other regions, so the profit was also somewhat higher.
Jhalokathi DAE deputy director Abdullah Al Mamun said that the good business in the crop was benefitting farmers, wholesalers, retailers and transport workers alike.聽
Wholesalers buy betel nut and send it to warehouses in Chattogram, Khulna and Jashore by road and waterways.
From there, it was exported to countries and regions, including India, China, Thailand and the Middle East and Europe, said the officer.
鈥榃e want betel nut to become not just an agricultural product, but an exportable brand,鈥� Abdullah Al Mamun said, adding that with that objective they were working to train farmers and the enhance market connectivity.
