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Betel leaf on 2,000 acres ruined by flood in Barisal

Prices plummet in Patuakhali

Star National Desk
Betel leaf growers in Barisal and Patuakhali are having hard days. The recent flood damaged betel leaf plantations in Agailjhara and Gournadi, the two upazilas known for extensive cultivation of the crop in Barisal.
The growers in Patuakhali are compelled to sell betel leaf at throwaway prices due to lack of wholesale buyers.
Our Barisal Correspondent reports:
"We lost everything as our betel leaf beds have been completely destroyed by the prolonged flood", said farmer Rahim Mallick in Rangta village in Agailjhara.
Rahim said his three bigha betel leaf plantation was the only source of income for his family and to meet education expenses of his children. The flood damaged all the plants, which will take another three months to be raised. "I do not know how to tide over the period".
Halim Mallick, Mannan Mallick and
Malek Mallick of neignbouring villages said their betel leaf beds were inundated by three to five feet water. Stagnant water for 5-6 hours is enough to completely destroy a bed, they said.
Hundreds of betel leaf growers in Agailjhara and Gournadi areas of the district are now worrieds how to survive as this was their prime source of income.
Local agriculture department sources said betel leaf on about 2000 acres have been damaged by flood in the two upazilas.
Many of the farmers this correspondent talked to said they will start fresh plantations as soon as the floodwater recedes. But plucking can not be started in the next four months.
Our Patuakhali Correspondent reports:
Betel leaf farmers of Galachipa in upazila in the district can not realise the production cost by selling the crop as prices have fallen due to lack of buyers.
There are at least 6000 battle leaf farmers in Panpatti, Charkhali, Dauka, Atkhali, Pangashia, Sutabaria, Chiknikandi, Ulavia and Bauria villages. The crop was grown on about 7000 acres.
Cultivation of the crop spread in the areas in the last five years because it is more profitable than other crops. Betel leaf grown in Patuakhali is in good demand in other districts, farmers said.
The price has come down to around Tk 80 per pai (864 leafs) from Tk 250 to 300 this time last year, farmers said.
Abdul Mannan of Badua village said the production cost per pai is about Tk 100.
But some traders this correspondent talked to said prices have fallen due to good production and because this is the peak season