(BSS) - Farmers in the coastal district of Lakshmipur are showing growing interest in betel nut cultivation, driven by favorable weather and the adoption of modern scientific farming techniques.

With more farmers planting betel nut and carefully managing their crops, production is steadily increasing, providing a boost to local agriculture and promising higher income for farming families in the region.

The betel nut produced in Lakshmipur is now being supplied to various parts of the country after meeting local demand. With high market demand and favorable prices, farmers are showing increasing interest in betel nut cultivation.

Unlike other crops, betel nut farming involves minimal risk, allowing most farmers to earn substantial profits. The district agriculture department has projected this year’s betel nut production to be worth around Taka 1000 crore.

According to the District Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE), nearly 7,360 hectares of land across five upazilas in the district are currently under small and large betel nut gardens. Notably, once planted, betel nut trees can yield crops continuously for 25 to 30 years with minimal maintenance. On average, each hectare produces about 2.5 to 3 metric tons of betel nuts.

This time, the district has set a target of producing about 20,500 metric tons of betel nut. Betel nut is sold for Taka 2500 to 2800 per kaon (16 pouns).

However, last year, betel nut was sold for Taka 1700 to Yaka 2200 per kaon. This time, per kaon betel nut is being sold at a rate of Taka 700-800 higher than the last year.

Due to favorable weather conditions and the adoption of modern methods, betel nut production is also increasing in this region day by day.

Farmers are getting more profit compared to other crops due to low production costs.

Farmers in this region are more inclined towards betel nut cultivation as there are fewer insect and spider attacks or diseases in betel nut gardens.

The betel nut produced here is going to various districts of the country including Chattogram, Dhaka, Mymensingh, Rangpur, Rajshahi and Sreemangal after meeting the demand of the district.

Betel nut haat are being held in at least a hundred places in Sadar Upazila, including Dalal Bazar, Rasulganj, Charruhita, Bhabaniganj, Mandari, Joksin, Chandraganj, Raipur Bazar, Haiderganj and Khaser Hat. Traders and farmers are now passing a busy time.

Monir Hossain Molla, a betel nut farmer from Mollarhat, and Nur Nabi from Dalal Bazar area said this year the betel nut yield has been good. Farmers are happy with this, they said.

According to them, the price is slightly higher than last year. Betel nut is being sold at a rate of Taka 2500 to 2800 taka per kaon (16 pon) depending on the type. The price is also much better than the last year.

Once a tree is planted, betel nut is available for a long time. Lakshmipur district is famous for betel nut. The people of this region also hope that this betel nut can play an important role in economic development in Lakshmipur.

Deputy Director of the District DAE Md. Zahir Ahmed said that this time about 20, 000 metric tons of betel nut are produced and the approximate market value of the agro product is Taka 1000 crore.

Betel nut farmers are adopting scientific methods day by day and the yield is getting better, he said, adding the level of betel nut cultivation in district is increasing day by day.

Farmers are being advised regularly from the DAE, he added.