West Bengal Opens Export Scope for Landless Betel-leaf Farmers

In order to support the export of betel leaves, the Bengal government has allowed landless betel-leaf farmers to register their farms for export of their products to the European Union and the UK and with consent from the land-owners.

"In the past, only farmers who had land records in their names were permitted to register their farms for export, particularly to the UK and EU, which are the top buyers of betel leaves from Bengal. A horticulture department official stated, "When we discovered that many landless farmers also grew betel leaves on other people's land, we published the notification by which they might register themselves for export with a written nod from the land-owner.

According to the state horticulture department's announcement in January this year, farmers whose land records had not yet been changed to include their names might register their farms with permission from a relative who is the landowner. By obtaining the landowner's permission, sharecroppers or farmers without access to the property can now do the same.

Farmers must have cultivation rights to the land in order to register their farms for the export of betel leaves, and the minimum size of the farm for registration for export to the UK and EU is 200 sqm.

Bengal, which produces over half of the volume of betel leaves sold to numerous nations, including the UK and EU, is a significant producer of betel leaves in the nation. Up to 20 lakh farmers from the North and South 24-Parganas, East Midnapore, Alipurduar, Cooch Behar, and Nadia are among the main betel leaf-producing districts.

According to sources, the decision to include more farms in the export process was made as a result of an increase in betel leaf exports over the previous fiscal year. Betel leaf exports from India totaled $6.18 million in the fiscal year 2021–2022 as opposed to $3.56 million the year prior. In 2021–22, Bengal alone exported betel leaves for $4.15 million.

In addition to the UK and EU, other important buyers include Bangladesh, Saudi Arabia, Thailand, Oman, and Kenya.

A few nations utilize betel leaves to make medication, while the majority use them to make paan or mouthwash.

According to sources, betel leaf exports from India to the UK and EU have halted five years ago when a shipment was found to have salmonella contamination. However, the Shellac and Forest Products Export Promotion Council (Shefexil), which took over the registration of exporters for shipments to the UK and EU in September 2021, is now the competent authority to issue the health certificate as opposed to the previous regulatory body, the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA).

“We targeted the issue of Salmonella once the responsibility came under Shefexil. Following that, we arranged for the best agencies in Hyderabad to test the betel leaves and to issue a health certificate to the verified ones.” stated Debjani Roy, executive director of Shefexil.

“After the registration of new farms, we are hoping the export of betel leaves will double in the next few years,” Debjani added.

Sources added that farms are getting rapidly registered in districts like Nadia which have large numbers of landless farmers cultivating betel leaves on others’ land.

A prominent exporter of betel leaves, Premjit Adak, said that this decision of the Bengal government would have wide-reaching implications. “This is not just helping farmers but exporters like myself are also benefitting as we will be able to easily access betel leaves for export to the UK and EU. Moreover, the farmers will also get a much better price than what the local market offers.”

The 18 percent GST on air freight of betel leaves, still stands as a challenge.

“We are not the only country selling betel leaves. Bangladesh exports it, with no GST on air freight. They are able to sell it for lower prices. We will be able to follow suit if the government considers withdrawing the GST,” Adak stated.