Jhalakathi, one of the southern districts, witnessed bumper betel nut production this season. Photo: BSS  

JHALAKATHI, Nov 22, 2025 (BSS) - In Bangladesh, chewing betel nut is very common among the people particularly elderly ones. Consumption of betel nut has become part of the Bengali culture as people love to have betel nut in different festive occasions and it also is seen at family level hospitality.       

Today, its cultivation has become more than cultural heritage; it now stands as a pillar of the rural economy.
 
In Jhalakathi, one of the southern districts, betel nut gardens can be found in almost every village, turning the crop into a major source of livelihood for thousands of farmers.
 
According to the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE), betel nut has been cultivated on 700–750 hectares of land across the district’s four upazilas and 32 unions this season.
 
Abdullah Al Mamun, Deputy Director of DAE in Jhalakathi, said favourable weather and low disease infestation have resulted in a bumper harvest—significantly higher than in previous years.
 
Despite the high yield, many farmers are frustrated by declining market prices.
 
Depending on size and quality, betel nuts are currently selling for Taka 220–250 per 20 pieces, while ripe nuts in some markets are being sold for Taka 160–180 per bunch and Taka 400–450 per 20. Still, the district’s weekly markets remain crowded with farmers and wholesalers on market days.
 
A total of around Taka 5 crore worth of betel nuts is traded weekly in 89 markets across the district, including major markets such as Chatrakanda, Sarengal, Krittipasha, and C&B Bazar in Sadar Upazila, and Bagri, Lebubunia, Badurtala, Napiterhat, and Bhairabpasha in Nalchity. In Kathalia, Chaklar Bazar, Koikhali, and Satani Bazar are also key trading hubs.
 
Among these, Saturia Betel Nut Market in Rajapur upazila is the busiest. Every Tuesday, betel nuts worth Taka 60–70 lakh are traded here. Because of its strategic location between Rajapur, Pirojpur, and Kaukhali, the market has become one of the largest betel nut hubs in the southern region.
 
Local farmers say nearly every household in the district has betel nut trees, with many maintaining small orchards beside their homes.

 Once planted, a tree begins yielding fruit within four to five years and continues producing for 30–35 years. 

As the production cost is low and income is three to four times higher than rice cultivation, farmers are increasingly shifting from paddy to betel nut.
 
“This year’s yield is much higher compared to previous years, though prices are lower,” said Kismat Farazi, a farmer from Sarengal village. “Still, I expect to earn several lakhs from my produce.”
 
Wholesalers from outside the district also flock to Jhalakathi for its high-quality nuts. 

 “The quality of Jhalakathi betel nuts is much better than in many other regions,” said Giyas Uddin, a wholesaler from Chattogram. “We buy large quantities from here for both export and domestic distribution.”
 
At Bagri Bazar in Rajapur, a farmer selling a van-load of betel nuts for Taka 1,000 said wholesalers regularly transport nuts to Dhaka and other major districts.
 
Haider Ali Khan, a businessman from Saturia-Naikathi, added, “The taste and size of Jhalakathi betel nuts are superior, which brings higher profit. We come here every year to purchase them.”
 
The Agriculture Department considers betel nut one of the key strengths of the district’s rural economy. Daily transactions worth crores of taka involve farmers, traders, transport workers, and exporters. After meeting local demand, betel nuts from Jhalakathi are shipped to Chattogram, Khulna and Jashore for export to India, China, Thailand, as well as Middle East and European markets.
 
“We want to transform betel nut into an exportable agricultural brand,” said Abdullah Al Mamun.
 
“The crop requires minimal care—just two applications of fertilizer and water per year—while yielding for decades. Jhalakathi’s nuts have already entered the markets of Europe, America, and the Middle East. We are working to train farmers so they can cultivate in a more organized and export-oriented manner.”

As betel nut orchards sway in the breeze and markets overflow with buyers and sellers, Jhalakathi’s betel nut industry continues to grow—spreading its reputation across the country and abroad. Farmers now hope that better market prices will bring broader smiles and stronger prosperity to their communities.