Betel leaf production continues to decline in Noakhali
Betel leaf production continues to decline in Noakhali as farmers are losing interest in cultivating this cash crop due to manifold problems. Price hike of farming inputs, absence of marketing facilities and paucity of fund are the main reasons for gradual decline in production of betel leaf in the district, growers said. Official sources said about 450 growers of Hatiya, Subarnachar and Companiganj upazila of the district are now engaged in cultivating betel leaf on six hundred acres of land. A farmer needs Tk 20,000 to Tk 25,000 to cultivate betel leaf on one bigha of land.