Socioeconomic Characteristics of the Betel Leaf Farmers in the Teknaf Peninsula, Bangladesh
M. A. Rahman *
Department of Agroforestry and Environment, Faculty of Agriculture, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Agricultural University, Gazipur, Bangladesh.
M. Tani
Department of Environmental Design, Faculty of Design, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan.
H. Tsuruta
Department of Environmental Design, Faculty of Design, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
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.
Keywords: Betel leaf farming, socioeconomics, forest, residential status, Teknaf peninsula