Socioeconomic Characteristics of the Betel Leaf Farmers in the Teknaf Peninsula, Bangladesh

Aims: To characterize betel leaf farmers and compare their socioeconomic attributes with non-betel leaf farmers in the Teknaf peninsula, Bangladesh.

Study Design: Primary data were used in this study, which were collected by using a structured interview schedule. Information on socioeconomic attributes of betel leaf and non-betel leaf farmers were collected.

Place and Duration of Study: This study was conducted in the Marishbuni and Jahajpura villages of the Teknaf peninsula, Bangladesh from March 2010 to March 2011.

Methodology: A total of 322 households were surveyed in 2010 and 2011 using a structured questionnaire by categorizing them into three groups, namely betel leaf cultivation as main occupation (BL-M), betel leaf cultivation as optional (BL-O) and non-betel leaf cultivator (BL-NC).

Results: Betel leaf farmers are mostly middle aged (45 years) having large family size (7 persons) and low literacy rate. Most of the households (81.9, 66.7 and 55.9% for BL-M, BL-O and BL-NC, respectively) are found in forest areas of which many of them are illegal. Although income from betel leaf farming accounts a large portion of household income for both BL-M and BL-O groups, the annual income of BL-M is distinctly lower than the other two groups. Income from betel leaf cultivation was significantly correlated with farm size (0.133*) and betel leaf cultivating area (0.556**).

Conclusion: Many people are living in the forest illegally and cultivating betel leaf. Although betel leaf farming is profitable for the farmers, their socioeconomic status is lower than non-betel leaf farmers.