<p>Bangarpet: The price of betel leaves, a major source of income for farmers in Bangarpet region, has seen a sharp decline, pushing many growers into distress.</p><p>Due to good rainfall and increased moisture, farmers harvested a healthy crop this season. However, the plummeting prices have led to significant losses.</p><p>Betel leaves are cultivated over 260 hectares in the taluk, and hundreds of rural farmers depend solely on this crop. Although prices had been falling for the past three months, farmers were hopeful of a rebound. Unfortunately, no signs of recovery are visible, leaving farmers deeply concerned.</p><p>Back in February and March, a bundle of 12,000 betel leaves sold for an average of Rs 14,000. When dry winds blew from the west, betel leaf yield would drop, resulting in higher market prices. But after the rains began in April, favourable conditions led to a production surge, causing prices to crash. By June, prices hit a low, with a bundle now selling for just Rs 2,500.</p><p>Although prices usually dip after June each year, this season’s strong pre-monsoon rains caused a significant increase in yield, leading to a steeper price drop. If this trend continues, many may abandon betel leaf cultivation altogether, said Venkatesh, a farmer from Polenahalli, voicing his frustration.</p><p>“Growing betel leaves requires constant attention and care. Farmers must spend time in the fields daily, tending to the vines, removing weeds, tying up the plants, and ensuring proper irrigation. Labourers working in betel leaf gardens demand Rs 600 per day, making it hard for growers to recover even their basic costs at the current market rate,” said Muniyappa, a disheartened grower.</p><p>“The betel leaves grown in Bangarpet taluk are popular and even used in religious rituals. With the festival season beginning with Shravan, prices may rise again,” hopes Basappa, another grower.</p><p><strong>Supply to TN, AP</strong></p><p>In villages under the Kamasamudra and Budikote hoblis in Bangarpet taluk, betel leaf is a key commercial crop. In recent years, alongside dairy farming, more farmers have turned to betel leaf cultivation.</p><p>The leaves are not only supplied to Kamasamudra, Bangarpet, and Budikote, but are also supplied to Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu. Additionally, they are shipped to several locations within Karnataka, including Bengaluru and Mangaluru.</p>
<p>Bangarpet: The price of betel leaves, a major source of income for farmers in Bangarpet region, has seen a sharp decline, pushing many growers into distress.</p><p>Due to good rainfall and increased moisture, farmers harvested a healthy crop this season. However, the plummeting prices have led to significant losses.</p><p>Betel leaves are cultivated over 260 hectares in the taluk, and hundreds of rural farmers depend solely on this crop. Although prices had been falling for the past three months, farmers were hopeful of a rebound. Unfortunately, no signs of recovery are visible, leaving farmers deeply concerned.</p><p>Back in February and March, a bundle of 12,000 betel leaves sold for an average of Rs 14,000. When dry winds blew from the west, betel leaf yield would drop, resulting in higher market prices. But after the rains began in April, favourable conditions led to a production surge, causing prices to crash. By June, prices hit a low, with a bundle now selling for just Rs 2,500.</p><p>Although prices usually dip after June each year, this season’s strong pre-monsoon rains caused a significant increase in yield, leading to a steeper price drop. If this trend continues, many may abandon betel leaf cultivation altogether, said Venkatesh, a farmer from Polenahalli, voicing his frustration.</p><p>“Growing betel leaves requires constant attention and care. Farmers must spend time in the fields daily, tending to the vines, removing weeds, tying up the plants, and ensuring proper irrigation. Labourers working in betel leaf gardens demand Rs 600 per day, making it hard for growers to recover even their basic costs at the current market rate,” said Muniyappa, a disheartened grower.</p><p>“The betel leaves grown in Bangarpet taluk are popular and even used in religious rituals. With the festival season beginning with Shravan, prices may rise again,” hopes Basappa, another grower.</p><p><strong>Supply to TN, AP</strong></p><p>In villages under the Kamasamudra and Budikote hoblis in Bangarpet taluk, betel leaf is a key commercial crop. In recent years, alongside dairy farming, more farmers have turned to betel leaf cultivation.</p><p>The leaves are not only supplied to Kamasamudra, Bangarpet, and Budikote, but are also supplied to Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu. Additionally, they are shipped to several locations within Karnataka, including Bengaluru and Mangaluru.</p>
