Climate Change Takes Toll on Betel Leaf Growers in Thatta

THATTA (KAMRAN KHAMISO KHOWAJA) Drastic changes in weather, scarcity of water, and adverse effects of climate change have inflicted a nasty blow to betel leaf growers in the coastal areas of Thatta and Sujawal over the past few years. Kharochan, Ketibunder, and Bagan were once hubs of betel leaf (Piper betel) cultivation in Sindh, but owing to the shortage of water and frequently changing weather patterns, betel leaf farming has shrunk.

Rabnaz Murgar, a local farmer who has been working in betel leaf cultivation for the past few years, disclosed that over the past five years, they have not received an adequate supply of water required for the proper growth of betel leaf plants, adding that it needs a particular quantum of water for timely growth and high yields. “Heavy rainfall is also threatening this plant,” he mentioned.

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Shabir Ahmed, a betel leaf grower, said that they have to import saplings and spend around three to five lakhs per hectare of betel leaf plant for quality growth and high yield. He further stated that a hectare of plants needs around a year for complete and healthy growth.

Complaining about the indifferent attitude of the government, local columnist and researcher Mahboob Brohi said that Thatta is the only area in the country where pan leaf is cultivated in large quantities and is instrumental in the financial uplift of local communities, but the government has never taken concrete efforts to facilitate growers. “Freshwater has been beneficial for this plant; however, underground water can be harmful to it,” he said, adding that “Sanchi” and another variety are two of the most common kinds of betel leaf cultivated in the coastal areas of Thatta district.

The growers expressed reservations over the low rate of betel leaf in the main market of Karachi, where local merchants, instead of resorting to local leaf, are exporting it from Hong Kong and other countries.