Jahid Dulal, Lalmohan (Bhola)

A young man named Sanjit Sutar changed his fortune by cultivating betel in Bhola's Lalmohan. Last year, 60 percent of the land was cultivated with good yield and profit, so this year the amount of land has been increased.

Sanjit Sutar, a young man, cultivated betel on 120 percent of the land this year in Namgram area of Ward No. 8 of Charbhuta Union of the upazila. He is the son of Manoranjan of a cotton house in that area.

Betel nut farmer Sanjit Sutar said that in 2013 we planted betel on 40 percent of the land. In the first few years the yield and profit is a little less. However, the demand for paan has increased over the past few years. Therefore, we gradually increase the land and increase the water barrage. This year we cultivated betel on 120 percent land. Which includes - Hybrid, LC, Mahanli and Bengali varieties.

He said, we sell these cultivated betel nuts in different markets of the district. Pan is divided into three parts when selling. Which includes small, medium and large sized pans.

According to that, I sell one bira for 10 taka, 100 taka and 200 taka. By doing this, I can sell about one lakh taka per month. From there, the income is at least 30 thousand taka excluding other expenses including labor and medicine. There is more demand for bean in the market during winter. Then sales increase, income also increases.

Sanjit Sutar also said that he runs the family with his parents, wife and two daughters with the income from selling paan. However, betel cultivation could be increased if public and private donations were received. Many people like me would be interested in betel cultivation if they get this grant.

Although many local people are interested, they are unable to cultivate betel due to lack of money. I think; If betel cultivation is increased, the economic condition of Lalmohan Upazila will improve through the money earned here.

Deputy Assistant Agriculture Officer of Lalmohan Upazila Agriculture Office. Jahangir Alam said, there are more betel growers in Namgram area of Charbhuta union of the upazila.

They are provided with all necessary advice from the Agriculture Office. Betel growers are also following the advice of the Agriculture Office. As a result of which they are getting good yield of water. The betel nut farmers are also benefiting from this. Besides, the agriculture office is always there for the needs of other farmers in the upazila.

On the other hand, according to the Agriculture Office sources, betel has been cultivated on 65 hectares of land in Lalmohan Upazila this year. Lord Hardinge and Charbhuta Union have the highest betel cultivation in terms of Union. At least 1000 farmers have cultivated betel in Lalmohan this year.