Once the people of Pakistan were crazy about this betel leaf of Bihar now farmers are moving away from its cultivation – News18 Hindi

Kundan Kumar/Gaya. The land of Magadha is known for the cultivation of Magahi betel. Magahi betel leaf is cultivated on a large scale in Gaya, Aurangabad and Nawada districts of Magadh region. The betel leaf from here is sent to other states of the country via Banaras. There was a time when Magahi paan from Magadha was sent to Pakistan. It is still being cultivated on a large scale in Gurua, Amas and Wazirganj block areas of Gaya district, Dev block area of ​​Aurangabad district and Hisua block area of ​​Nawada district. Magahi Paan has also got GI tag two years ago.

It has been more than two years since Magahi betel got the GI tag, but till now neither dedicated processing plants have been set up for betel nor any arrangement has been made for advanced marketing of betel cultivation. Farmers are cultivating betel leaves on their own. It is delivered to the markets of Kolkata and Banaras. No plant has been set up to preserve betel leaves for a long time. In such a situation, farmers are in a hurry to pluck the betel leaves and send them to the market immediately. For this reason, farmers sell betel leaves in the markets even at low rates. Sometimes there is loss if water leaves are not sold.

Interest among farmers is gradually decreasing
To know the condition of Magahi betel farmers, Local 18 reached Dev block area of ​​Aurangabad district. Where till 10 years ago, betel leaf was cultivated in 12 villages of Dev block. But due to low profits in this farming, farmers are gradually moving away from it. Now it is being cultivated only in 5 to 6 villages. Still, Magahi betel is cultivated in about 50 acres in this area. Another reason for farmers to move away from Magahi betel cultivation is that their soil is getting spoiled, but the government is not paying any attention to it. While the old farmers cannot find employment or work outside, they are only cultivating it.

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loss making deal for farmers
Magahi betel cultivation is proving to be a loss-making deal for the farmers for the last few years. Due to excessive hard work and low profits, young people are moving away from its cultivation. However, the government has tried to benefit the farmers to a great extent. Huge subsidies are being given to betel farmers. The cost of planting one unit betel leaf is estimated at Rs 70500. The profit from this is only Rs 20 thousand. Under this, the government is giving a subsidy of Rs 35 thousand 250.

What do farmers say
In this regard, farmers Anand Prasad Chaurasia and Sanjay Kumar Chaurasia of Dev Block area say that betel farmers are suffering a lot due to the problem in the soil. The government is not paying attention to this. Due to lack of proper soil, production is not happening and the plant is drying up. Farmers told that currently Magahi betel is being cultivated in 50 thousand square meters in Dev block area, but we are selling it in the markets at a quarter price. There is a box of 200 betel leaves whose market price ranges from Rs 50 to Rs 100.

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Tags: Agriculture, Bihar News, gaya news, Local18