Bumper betel nut production fails to bring profit for Lalmonirhat farmers

Farmers in the northern border district of Lalmonirhat are facing concerns despite a satisfactory yield of betel nuts this season, as market prices remain significantly lower than last year.

Locally produced betel nuts are mainly sold in large markets within the district before being supplied to various parts of the country by traders. Some traders also store the produce to sell during the off-season in hopes of securing higher profits.

Barabari Haat in the district headquarters hosts betel nut trading twice a week, on Wednesdays and Saturdays. Farmers and traders from neighbouring upazilas including Phulbari and Rajarhat of Kurigram, and Kaunia of Rangpur also participate in the market. Operating from 8am to 4pm, the market witnesses transactions worth millions of taka during each trading day.

Market sources said that last year local varieties of betel nuts were sold between Tk200 and Tk500 per (80-piece) pound. However, this year prices have dropped to between Tk150 and Tk250. Larger-sized betel nuts are currently being sold at Tk200 to Tk250. Boalpur’s “Maja” variety is selling at around Tk230, while Sylhet’s “Maja” betel nuts are fetching about Tk 340. In the wholesale market, local betel nuts are selling forTk 2,400 to Tk4,000 per quintal (approximately 16 pounds).

Akkas Ali, a farmer who brought his produces to Barabari market, said that although production has been good this year, prices are disappointing. Another farmer, Jalil Rahman, said he earned around Tk2,000 from betel nut sales last year but had to sell his produce at nearly half the price this season. “The family depends on income from betel nut sales, but the current market price is very low,” he said.

Betel nut trader Mustafa Hossain attributed the price drop to reduced demand during the month of Ramadan and the lower presence of wholesale buyers in the market. He said traders are currently purchasing betel nuts from farmers at Tk200 to Tk 250 per pound.

Another trader, Haider Ali, said that good yields in other producing areas have increased supply in the market. However, he expressed hope that prices may rise slightly after Ramadan if demand increases. Trader Ali Hossain added that the supply of dried betel nuts in major markets has also increased alongside domestic production, contributing to the current price decline.

According to the Department of the Agricultural Extension (DAE) in the district, betel nut is cultivated commercially on about 514 hectares of land in Lalmonirhat. In addition, trees grown in household courtyards and along the banks of ponds and rivers also contribute significantly to the district’s rural economy.

DAE Deputy Director Md Saikhul Arifin said betel nut production in the district has been satisfactory this season. He noted that the district’s soil and climate are favourable for betel nut cultivation. Although prices are currently low, he said there is potential for improvement in the coming months.