GOPALGANJ, July 24: Betel leaf cultivation in the district has been facing a setback due to lack of proper guidance from the department concerned.
According to the Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE) official sources, about 60 hectares of land have been brought under the farming of betel leaf in three upazilas of the district.
Of the total area, some 30 hectares of land are in Kasiani upazila and rest of the land is in Muksudpur and Tungipara upazilas. Over 1,000 farmers earn livelihood by farming the item, DAE sources added.
Some local betel leaf farmers said if they get easy-loan facility from banks or other institutions they would be able to achieve their farming target.
Local trader Nasu Sheikh of Gopalpur Bazar under Kasiani upazila said betel leaf farmers in this region are facing major problems like financial constraint and absence of proper marketing facilities.
Moreover, if the growers get modern agri facilities betel leaf production would be increased.
Rasamoy Mondal, Kasiani upazila agriculture officer, said, "We are taking measures to solve the problems growers are facing in farming betel leaf here and boost the production."
