Betel leaf farmers in the Chittagong Basti area of Kumarghat, located in Tripura’s Unakoti district, are facing a severe crisis due to the unavailability of irrigation water. The ongoing water scarcity has led to the drying up of betel leaf fields, significantly reducing production. As a result, the supply of betel leaves to local markets has decreased, causing a sharp rise in prices.
Betel leaf is one of the most important cash crops in Tripura and is cultivated across various regions of the state. However, Chittagong Basti is particularly known for its high-quality betel leaf production, which caters to markets ranging from Tripura’s capital city to rural marketplaces. For hundreds of families in the area, betel leaf farming is the primary source of income, making the current crisis a major concern for their livelihoods.
Farmers Struggle Without Proper Irrigation
Local farmers allege that they have not received any assistance from the government, despite repeated appeals for support. Tapan Dey, a betel leaf farmer from Chittagong Basti, stated that over 200 families in the region are entirely dependent on betel cultivation for their earnings. However, the lack of a reliable irrigation system has severely impacted their production and, consequently, their income.
“Irrigation is essential for cultivating betel leaves successfully,” Dey explained. “Without a steady water supply, our crops are withering, leading to lower yields and financial hardship.”
Lack of Market Facilities Adds to Farmers’ Woes
In addition to water shortages, farmers also face challenges in selling their produce due to the lack of proper infrastructure in local markets. They are forced to operate in open spaces, which exposes them to extreme weather conditions, including the scorching sun and heavy rain.
“We don’t have a designated shed or covered area to sell our betel leaves,” Dey added. “Working in such harsh conditions is exhausting, and it affects our ability to trade efficiently. If we had better infrastructure, it would make selling our produce much easier.”
Farmers believe that if irrigation facilities are improved and market infrastructure is upgraded, betel leaf production will stabilize, leading to more affordable prices for consumers and better earnings for cultivators.
Hailstorm Damage and the Absence of Government Assistance
The current crisis was worsened by a devastating hailstorm earlier this year, which caused extensive damage to betel leaf farms. Many farmers suffered huge financial losses due to the destruction of their crops. Despite the severity of the damage, they claim they have received no financial relief or compensation from the government.
“We lost a significant portion of our crops due to the hailstorm, yet no government aid has been provided,” said another farmer. “We desperately need immediate financial assistance to recover from these losses.”
Farmers in Chittagong Basti are urging the authorities to intervene and provide support through irrigation facilities, market infrastructure, and financial relief. Without urgent action, their livelihoods remain at risk, and the betel leaf industry in the region could face long-term setbacks.
(With inputs and pic from Asutosh Paul)
