Magura Correspondent:

Abrupt fall in betel leaf price has frustrated Magura growers, with the wholesalers blaming primarily fall of demand due to damage sustained in rainfall, while farmers are blaming wholesaler, or, middlemen syndicate.

Joydeb Shaha, a trader of Puratan bazar of Magura town, said, “Betel leaf demand has fallen in the market as shopkeepers and consumers are now offering us low price for betel leaf due to recent rainfall.”

He said that now they are selling per 80 pieces of betel leaves at Tk 18, which was Tk 70 two weeks ago. “Sometimes we are selling betel leaf at a lower price compared to the purchasing price to save betel leaf from damage by rainfall.”

Sources at the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) in Magura said they brought 143 hectares of land under betel leaf cultivation in the district this season.

Shujit Poddar, a farmer of Magura Sadar Upazila’s Shatrijitpur village, said if the current price continues to stand at Tk 20 for per 80 pieces of betel leaves, he will sustain a loss of Tk 40,000. He said he has invested Tk 200,000 for betel leaf cultivation on two bighas of land. Farmer Alam Shekh of Magura Sadar’s Shibrampur village said that per 80 pieces of betel leaves is currently being sold at Tk 20 to 25. “We shall not be able to cover our production cost by selling betel leaf at this price,” he also said, adding that syndicates of middlemen have been depriving the growers.

Another grower Farhad Hossen of Magura sadar’s Sirampur village said said he has loaned Tk 200,000 from a local NGO to bring his one bigha of land under betel leaf cultivation. “How shall I repay my loan by selling betel leaf at Tk 20 per poun (80 pieces of betel leaves)?” he also said adding that wholesalers are depriving them by blaming rain.

Reached for comment on the matter, DAE Additional Deputy Director Bishnupada Shaha said, “Although betel leaf price is low now, growers got a high price earlier. However, they will make profit.”