Farmers of Monohardi upazila of the district have taken steps to increase betel leaf (Pan) production and they have raised a number of betel field (boraj) as they are getting fair price.
Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE) sources said a number of farmers in Boro Chapa, Char Mandalia, Labutola, Khidirpur and Krishnapur union of the upazila had started small scale cultivation of betel leaf few years back. But farmers lost their interest to grow, the betel leaf due to price hike of raw materials, lack of capital, shortage of insecticides, absence of proper marketing facilities.
Recently, the farmers are getting excellent market price and cultivating more betel leaf after overcoming all of shortages and to achieve remarkable change to their miserable condition.
Deputy Director of DAE Muksed Ali said betel leaf is an important cash crop of the district. It can fetch cash income to its growers throughout the year. The growers are planted betel leaf in all season under tropical climate condition.
He also said over 250 boraj on 500 acres of land were brought under the betel leaf cultivation in the upazila.
We could earn huge foreign exchange every year by exporting betel leaf (Pan). -BSS, Narsingdi
