Markets in villages across Lakshmipur are abuzz with betel nut trading, increasing a festive ambiance all around the district.
Here is bigger than appropriate a occasion—it’s a predominant financial tournament for the plot.
On market days, children, younger other folks, younger adults, and aged residents will even be viewed carrying bags of betel nuts and money.
The bustling commerce underscores betel nuts because the critical driver of Lakshmipur’s financial system.
Locals eminent that the betel nut season, which begins in September, is now in its closing phases and would possibly maybe function in December. Whereas this One year’s production became as soon as lower than the outdated One year, prices comprise gone up.
In step with the “Agricultural Statistics Yearbook 2023” published by the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics, Lakshmipur ranks first within the country for betel nut production.
Within the fiscal One year 2022-2023, the district produced 1,13,931 tonnes of betel nuts, valued at roughly Tk6 crore at Tk250 per kilogram. The 2nd-highest producing district, Cox’s Bazar, produced 59,293 tonnes, followed by Chandpur with 23,743 tonnes and Bhola with 14,334 tonnes. Chapainawabganj produced the least, with most efficient 19 tonnes last One year.
On a worldwide scale, an financial study agency, Tridge, ranks Bangladesh because the area’s 2nd-largest producer of betel nuts. India leads the list with an annual production of 1.7 billion kilograms, followed by Bangladesh with 333.7 million kilograms, and Myanmar with 236 million kilograms.
Shahab Uddin, a dealer from Dala Bazar, said wholesale prices for 80 nuts vary between Tk200 to Tk250.
Kabir Kha, a farmer from Char Ruhita, said prices comprise improved when put next with last One year. Whereas a unit of 1,280 nuts purchased for Tk1,500 to Tk1,600 last One year, the cost has risen from Tk1,800 to Tk2,000 this One year.
Farmer Faruk Hossain Shihab said that heavy rains this One year diminished yields, however greater prices compensated for the loss. From his 40-decimal plantation of 458 trees, he earned Tk3,00,000 to Tk4,00,000 this season, with extra sales anticipated.
In Lakshmipur’s markets, admire the famed Haydarganj in Raipur, 20 to 30 tonnes of betel nuts, rate Tk40 lakh to Tk6 lakh, are traded on every market day.
Villages here ceaselessly comprise as a minimal one betel nut tree per family, a supply of both delight and financial security. Seen from above, Raipur and Ramganj seem as substantial betel nut plantations.
Abdul Qayyum Rigan from Dala Bazar said betel nuts are purchased and preserved in three kinds: raw with green pores and skin, ripe yellow nuts, and soaked nuts. Raw betel nuts are within the very ideal demand, followed by soaked ones.
Betel nut cultivation is labour-intensive, provocative harvesting, peeling, counting, and transporting, but it remains highly a hit. Farmers pay Tk10 per tree for harvesting and incur extra prices for processing and transportation.
Betel nuts defend a clear location in Bengali traditions, in general served with betel leaves throughout ceremonies and as a gesture of hospitality.
Globally, alternatively, betel nuts are also dilapidated in over a hundred ways, together with in medicines and, in some worldwide locations, as a narcotic.
Lakshmipur’s bustling betel nut commerce supports the livelihoods of roughly 5,000 workers and traders throughout the season. The district boasts 6,876 hectares of betel nut plantations, with unique plantations added day after day.
Dr Zakir Hossain, extra director of the Department of Agriculture, said that betel nut trees beginning up bearing fruit within 3 to 4 years of planting and could also diagram for 40 to 50 years.
He emphasised that the betel nut financial system has change into a predominant supply of wealth for Lakshmipur, contributing drastically to its building.
