DOT Desk: The betel leaf farmers and traders of Agailjhara Upazila here are incurring loss due to cold wave and thick fog.
The betel leaves are being affected with different diseases. As a result, the price of betel leaf has fallen. , reports The Daily Observer.
In the last week, the farmers and the traders have suffered huge loss. Due to the cold wave, yellow mark has been found on the leaves, which caused the leaves to rot.
In local markets, the price of per Poa (2,048 pieces) big size betel leaf has stood at Taka 800 from Taka 3,000; that of middle-sized one has stood at Taka 500 from Taka 1,600, and that of small one has stood at Taka 300 from Taka 500.
Meanwhile, the wholesalers are also suffering loss despite buying betel leaf at low price.
They said they are being bound to sell the betel leaf at a throwaway price as yellow mark has been found on most of the leaves.
They further said, it takes two days to transport and market betel leaves, and the leaves become rotten during this two days’ interval.
Betel leaf traders Abdul Hakim Khan, Rubel Khan, Anis Talukder, and Swapan Gazi said the betel leaves drop from trees due to cold wave and thick fog. Due to amassing of betel leaves, those become yellowish and rotten. As a result, the market has collapsed.
They said it takes Taka 6 lakh to cultivate one Baraj of betel leaf. They also said they will hardly make profit from the sale of betel leaf.
Local agriculture office sources said they are maintaining contact with the farmers over the cultivation. The diseases are happening due to cold. If proper care of Baraj is taken, and if the cold intensity decreases, the situation will improve within one week.
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