Production and marketing of betel leaf in Odisha: An economic analysis

Betel Leaf is a commercial horticultural crop with unleashed economic potential. It is not only part of our cultural traditions but also has great significance in the Ayurveda. Odisha being one of the prominent betel leaf growing state the crop has economic impact on the betel leaf growers of the state. In the initial first year the cost incurred by respondents is more because of additional cost incurred on baroj construction. But in the following years the net return amplifies with increase in economic life of the crop. All the resources used are significant but seed is the only resource whose use is being ill afforded. Of the two major marketing channels prevalent in the area, the channel that was comparatively more efficient was Producer-Wholesaler- Retailer - Consumer. The prime constraint that causes hindrance in optimum production and marketing of betel leaf were disease severity and price fluctuations respectively. The crop despite the capacity to earn foreign currency has been of less interest to both researchers as well as policy makers. This paper tends to analyse the economic potential of this horticultural crop to enable the policymakers understand its role in the rural economy.