AGARTALA: The illegal inflow of Burmese betel nut into Tripura has created a huge concern among the local farmers, threatening their livelihood and the state's agricultural economy.
According to reports, huge consignments of Burmese betel nut are being smuggled into Tripura through secret routes along the inter-state borders in the northern district. This has caused panic among garden farmers, who have been finding it difficult to compete with the flood of illegally imported betel nuts in the market.
Allegations are that an outfit of the ruling BJP is involved in the illegal trade as it is amassing money on the smuggling of Burmese betel nut through the Chura route. Though some persons have made crores of money through this illicit trade, the state's farmers of betel nut have faced a serious jolt. Once the local economy was thriving by the cultivation of domestic betel nut, which is now badly suffering due to the unregulated illegal imports.
A worried farmer from the region pointed to the situation: "One time, it was so that the state used to produce local betel nut, and many people earn their livelihood by cultivating and selling this. By and large, the inflow of Burmese betel nut badly affects the local production and sale." The Burmese betel nut is so freely available, it has practically changed the market scenario, and if this continues it will become impossible for small farmers to maintain their profession.
Over the years, interest in the cultivation of betel nut has decreased drastically. In the past, unemployed youth and large-scale producers were hopeful about betel nut farming since the prices were favorable. The situation has, however, changed because the Burmese betel nut is flooding the market making it hard for local farmers to sell their produce at competitive prices.
Also, the demand for betel nuts from Assam, one of its major marketplaces, has declined considerably. Farmers who once exported huge bags of betel nut to markets like Silchar, Karimganj, and Badarpur are now fighting for a handful of buyers. "We used to sell a considerable amount of betel nut to Assam, but now, with the entry of Burmese betel nut, demand has gone down drastically," said another frustrated farmer.
The impact on farmers has been severe. Earlier, wholesalers from other states used to come to the gardens of Tripura to purchase betel nuts directly, but this practice has completely stopped. Consequently, many farmers are now left with unsold produce, which is drying up under trees, resulting in huge financial losses.
Betel nut farming lies at the core of the livelihoods of most people in rural and hilly areas of Tripura. The unabated influx of Burmese betel nuts has further thrown their socio-economic condition into a tailspin, making many financially vulnerable. "Our produce is not selling, and we are facing huge hardships. The government must act," pleaded a local farmer.
Farmers are demanding the government take urgent steps to prevent the smuggling of Burmese betel nuts into the country and save local agriculture. They are looking forward to a decisive move by the government to bring stability back to the industry of betel nut farming and ensure their livelihoods. If nothing is done, the future of betel nut cultivation in Tripura remains uncertain.
ALSO READ:
ALSO WATCH: