Hello Friends, Hope you all are well and enjoying your time.
Betel leaves are very popular in several countries in South east Asia. Bangladesh is one of the countries in terms of high betel leaf consumption. People of different ages take this betel leaf. However, especially middle and old people take betel leaf more. Although it is one kind of addicting for those who takes betel leaf regularly, but you will find very less people in this country who didn’t taste it once. It is like chewing gum for the betel leaf consumer. In our local language betel leaf is known as Paan. People generally take Paan with a slice of betel nut and Chun(calcium hydroxide). Many people also mix harmful Jorda(tobacco) with it. Few weeks back I was travelling to the south where visited a betel garden as well as the leaf market. Sharing that experience with you all.
For betel leaf cultivation the field is covered with a shade. Direct sunlight is harmful for betel leaf cultivation. That’s why tha fence is made to cover the top and side of the betel leaf field. You will also find narrow canal in each row of betel garden. This is required to pass the rain water. While I was visiting the garden captured few pictures. Sharing with you all.
Due to high consumption Bangladesh is a good market of betel leaf production. In northern and few southern part of the country are renowned for high quality betel leaf production. Although in few hilly areas betel leaves are cultivated but that is not much. Specially, the northern part of the country are the main hub of betel leaf cultivation. Most of the betel leaf demand of the country is met from this area.
As I was visiting the betel leaf market, sharing few information from there about betel leaf. It was evening time when I reached there. The Paan sellers were busy to rearrange their products. The wholesalers were pushing them to pack the Paan and load in the truck. These will directly go to the capital city Dhaka.
There is different calculation method for Paan calculation. One of the method is called Bira. In one Bira there are 80 Paans. The price of one Bira Paan varies from 150 Taka(local currency) to 300 Taka depending on the quality of Paan. I talked with few wholesalers while visiting. They purchase 5-6 lac Taka Paan each day. They brought all those Paan directly to the capital city wholesale market and then distribute in different areas from here. Sharing one video of betel garden and the market from my YouTube channel.
There are some health benefits of taking Paan. But many people are taking tobacco with Paan which is very much injurious to health. Sometimes, it is more harmful than cigarettes. Because, Jorda(tobacco) is taken as raw with Paan. So, my opinion to take Paan only rather mixing tobacco with it. It will save you from cancer.
That’s it from today.
Thanks.
Stay safe and healthy.