Baliapal: Betal cultivation has brought about a major change in the socio-economic condition of scores of farmers in a dozen coastal panchayats under Baliapal block in Balasore district. As a result, many paddy cultivators are said to have been opting for betel instead of rice as they see more profit in the former.
As the weather in the coastal belt is believed to be eminently suitable for betel farming, the area is dotted with millions of betel vines in these panchayats. Many farmers have admitted that as the betel cultivation is more profitable, they are going in for it to improve their economic condition.
In the month of Kartik, farmers put up supports (made out of palm sticks, GI wires, bamboo sticks and reeds) for betel vine to grow. These materials are brought from some parts of Batagrama and Chirakula and even Bhogarai and betel saplings from Mohanpur, Sadi and other areas in West Bengal.
Roots sprout about a month after sapling transplantation and betel leaves are harvested six months later.
Explaining the nuances of betel farming, cultivators said
a maximum of 2,000 saplings can be planted in a 50-by-40 ft betel support base. In summer, water will be sprinkled once in three days. Over 8 to 10 decimal of sandy land is required for a betel vine orchard for which a farmer has to invest Rs 70,000 to Rs 80,000.
Some famers say that if everything goes well with the betel cultivation, a farmer can make a profit six times the investment.
Betel leaves are sold in bunches (kada). One bunch contains 50 leaves. In winter, farmers get good profits as they harvest quality leaves. If a farmer sells 80 bunches of betel leaves, he will get Rs Rs 1000 to Rs 2,500.
However, some famers have complained that though betel farming is profitable, traders and middlemen take away a lion’s share of the profit.
Betel leaves harvested in Ambachaua, Nuagan and Ratei have high demand in cities like Mumbai, Delhi, Azamgarh, Gorakhpur, Balia and Nagpur as the leaves are said to be of high quality.
Since the betel farming was brought under the horticulture department two years ago, farmers have been getting the advantage of insurance coverage in case of loss due to gales or any other natural calamities. The area has 50,000 betel support base, it is learnt. PNN
