The summer showers have come as a boon for betel farmers of Thottiyam block in Tiruchi district.
Several farmers in Tirunarayanapuram, Arasalur, Chithalur and Erikulam in the block had brought about 80 hectares of land under ‘SGM -2’ variety of betel. Being a labour-intensive crop, the farmers join together in groups to raise the crop. An acre of land is divided into 15 or 20 tracts each divided by a dugout where water is allowed to stagnant.
However, protecting the two-year-old betel vine from pest attack and diseases pose a challenge to farmers. “An assured market and attractive price offered for betel at the wholesale market in Thottiyam has encouraged farmers to go in for the crop,” say official sources. The clay soil of the block has been another favourable factor for the crop.
“During summer, the crop is prone to wilt disease and mealy bug attack. However, the recent showers has not only protected the crop from disease attacks, but also ensured irrigation,” said A. Natarajan, a farmer of Tirunarayanapuram,
Horticulture Department officials have appealed to the farmers to ensure that betel is hygienically packed. Use of pollution-free water on betel bundles would help the leaves from drying out and would protect it from ‘salmonella’ bacteria infestation. Using contamination-free water would also ensure the health of the consumers, they said.
There was growing demand for Indian betel in European countries, sources said explaining the excellent prospects for the crop.
