Betel farmers in Bangladesh are shifting to other crops

Due to the favorable weather and huge demand for sweet betel abroad, the betel growers of Baliakandi Upazila of Rajbari were getting a good earning from exports. However, farmers are losing interest in betel cultivation due to the closure of exports and low prices because of the impact of Covid-19. As a result, many farmers are leaning towards other crops.

Meanwhile, Baliakandi Upazila is known as fertile land for sweet betel cultivation, and two varieties of betel are usually produced: sweet betel and Sachi betel. The sweet betel was exported to 6 countries, including India, Pakistan, Bhutan, Maldives, Sri Lanka, Nepal, and Saudi Arabia, to meet the demand.