‘One tree per household’: Lakshmipur leads in betel nut trade
The bustling trade underscores betel nuts as the primary driver of Lakshmipur’s economy
Markets in villages across Lakshmipur are abuzz with betel nut trading, creating a festive atmosphere throughout the district.
This is more than just a celebration—it's a significant economic event for the region.
On market days, children, teenagers, young adults, and elderly residents can be seen carrying bags of betel nuts and cash.
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The bustling trade underscores betel nuts as the primary driver of Lakshmipur's economy.
Locals noted that the betel nut season, which begins in September, is now in its final stages and will conclude in December. While this year's production was lower than the previous year, prices have gone up.
According to the "Agricultural Statistics Yearbook 2023" published by the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics, Lakshmipur ranks first in the country for betel nut production.
In the fiscal year 2022-2023, the district produced 1,13,931 tonnes of betel nuts, valued at approximately Tk6 crore at Tk250 per kilogram. The second-highest producing district, Cox's Bazar, produced 59,293 tonnes, followed by Chandpur with 23,743 tonnes and Bhola with 14,334 tonnes. Chapainawabganj produced the least, with only 19 tonnes last year.
On a global scale, an economic research firm, Tridge, ranks Bangladesh as the world's second-largest producer of betel nuts. India leads the list with an annual production of 1.7 billion kilograms, followed by Bangladesh with 333.7 million kilograms, and Myanmar with 236 million kilograms.
Shahab Uddin, a trader from Dala Bazar, said wholesale prices for 80 nuts range between Tk200 to Tk250.
Kabir Kha, a farmer from Char Ruhita, said prices have improved compared to last year. While a unit of 1,280 nuts sold for Tk1,500 to Tk1,600 last year, the price has risen from Tk1,800 to Tk2,000 this year.
Farmer Faruk Hossain Shihab said that heavy rains this year reduced yields, but higher prices compensated for the loss. From his 40-decimal plantation of 458 trees, he earned Tk3,00,000 to Tk4,00,000 this season, with more sales expected.
In Lakshmipur's markets, like the renowned Haydarganj in Raipur, 20 to 30 tonnes of betel nuts, worth Tk40 lakh to Tk6 lakh, are traded on each market day.
Villages here commonly have at least one betel nut tree per household, a source of both pride and economic security. Viewed from above, Raipur and Ramganj appear as vast betel nut plantations.
Abdul Qayyum Rigan from Dala Bazar said betel nuts are sold and preserved in three forms: raw with green skin, ripe yellow nuts, and soaked nuts. Raw betel nuts are in the highest demand, followed by soaked ones.
Betel nut cultivation is labour-intensive, involving harvesting, peeling, counting, and transporting, yet it remains highly profitable. Farmers pay Tk10 per tree for harvesting and incur additional costs for processing and transportation.
Betel nuts hold a special place in Bengali traditions, often served with betel leaves during ceremonies and as a gesture of hospitality.
Globally, however, betel nuts are also used in over a hundred ways, including in medicines and, in some countries, as a narcotic.
Lakshmipur's bustling betel nut trade supports the livelihoods of approximately 5,000 workers and traders during the season. The district boasts 6,876 hectares of betel nut plantations, with new plantations added daily.
Dr Zakir Hossain, additional director of the Department of Agriculture, said that betel nut trees start bearing fruit within 3 to 4 years of planting and can produce for 40 to 50 years.
He emphasised that the betel nut economy has become a major source of wealth for Lakshmipur, contributing significantly to its development.
