Dhamnagar: Betel leaves produced in riparian Kalayni Nagar on the banks of the river Reba under Dhamnagar block in Bhadrak has high demand because of its quality, but its cultivation is fast declining due to lack of government support.
Only 27 families of the village, who have been farming this, demanded that the government help them to carry on with their age-old occupation.
The betel leaves produced here are known as Makadia betel leaves. But the farming suffered a huge blow from Super Cyclone of 1999 with betel vines being devastated.
Farmers have long been making efforts to revive betel cultivation, but lack of funding or support from the government has come in the way of their efforts.
The villagers apprehended that if the government does not pay proper heed to the betel cultivation, betel, famed as Mankidia betel, will vanish and they will lose their age-old occupation.
Betel growers say the soil in the area is damp and sticky by nature and perfectly suits for betel farming.
“We grow Dandabalunga and Laua varieties of betel here without using chemical fertilizers. The betel has a high market for its good quality. It is known as Mankidia betel. The village was earlier known as Mankidia betel,” they added.
Biswambar Das, a local farmer, said,”Mankidia betel leaves had high demand, but after entry of betel from other parts of the country, they have eaten into its market. Betel is supplied to Dhusuri, Dhamnagar, Asurali, Shidnagar, Betaligaon, Chudakuti, Bhadrak; Jhumpuri and Baulanaga in Jajpur.”
According to farmers, the Super Cyclone of 1999 devastated the betel vines. Then, other natural calamities in different times have played havoc to betel vines, which are being revived with little success.
In 2014, the horticulture department offered financial assistance to push betel cultivation, but many farmers have allegedly been deprived of availing it. As a result, farmers are losing interest in betel farming. “Though the government has a plan to provide financial help to betel growers, officials pay no heed to giving assistance,” noted Bhagirathi Datt. He demanded that government ensure all farmers get financial help.
Prior to 1999, betel farming was the mainstay of people in Kalyani Nagar. Earlier, over 150 families used to do betel farming, but now only 27 families have been carrying out the cultivation. Scores of them have switched to other means of livelihood.
Suresh Das, a local farmer, said, “Betel farming is a cash crop, but natural calamities damage it most of the time. The government does not provide compensations for it”
In view of the sharp fall in betel farming, many farmers apprehend that the age-old occupation and trade in betel leaves will no longer survive in the area unless the government steps in for its promotion. PNN