Betel leaf farming transforms livelihoods in rural Rangpur
Photo Collected
Before the break of dawn, the village of Balarampur in Rangpur’s Mominpur Union comes alive, with farmers tending to the dew-drenched betel leaf groves that have transformed the local economy. Once reliant on traditional rice and vegetable farming, the community has pivoted toward betel leaf cultivation, turning the village into a regional hub for the crop and a model of rural financial independence.
According to data from the local agriculture department, betel leaf cultivation now spans 134 hectares across Rangpur Sadar Upazila. The shift began about 25 years ago, spurred by pioneering local farmers like Robinash Roy and Emdadul Haque, who demonstrated that betel leaves offered significantly higher returns than traditional staples. Their success triggered a widespread transition, as even residents with minimal land began converting homestead plots into lucrative groves.
Farmers emphasize the long-term sustainability of the crop compared to seasonal grains. Emdadul Haque noted that while rice cultivation requires constant labor-intensive preparation between harvests, a betel grove remains productive for 10 to 12 years once established, with relatively low ongoing maintenance costs. For many, this has been a life-changing economic shift. Matiar Rahman, a local farmer, described how the steady income from his groves has brought stability to his family, allowing him to invest in livestock and secure food reserves that were previously out of reach.
The financial impact is most visible among those who were once dependent on low-wage manual labor. Momena Khatun, who formerly worked as a daily laborer earning 150 taka a day, utilized 18 decimals of land near her home to establish a betel grove. Within five years, she has achieved financial self-sufficiency, enabling her to purchase additional land and fund her three children’s education. Describing the crop as “money trees,” Khatun highlighted the lack of significant financial risk and the consistent yields that have lifted her family out of poverty.
The economic metrics provided by local growers support this optimism. Farmers like Aminul Haque and Afzal Hossain report that while setting up a 40-decimal grove requires an initial investment of roughly 100,000 taka, the annual net profit can reach up to 130,000 taka after accounting for irrigation, fertilizer, and repairs. This starkly contrasts with rice farming on similar land, which typically nets only a fraction of that amount. Large-scale growers, such as Lal Miah, have seen their annual earnings climb to 400,000 taka from 1.5 acres of land.
Mominpur Union Parishad member Ziaul Haque confirmed that the steady decline in rice cultivation over the past three decades is a direct result of farmers prioritizing the more profitable betel trade. The village has now integrated into a robust supply chain, with traders visiting the groves directly to purchase crops for distribution in regional markets.
Local agricultural officials are actively supporting this agricultural shift. Upazila Agriculture Officer Afrin Binte Aziza categorized betel leaf as a highly profitable cash crop, noting that the department continues to provide farmers with the technical guidance and encouragement necessary to optimize yields and expand the industry further.
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