While the COVID-19 scare has affected livelihood of all, irrespective of professions, in north Baleswar the betel vine farmers are the worst sufferers during the lockdown period.
They fear that their condition would further deteriorate as the lockdown period in Odisha has been extended till end of April by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik.
Not only the farmers, other people associated with the cultivation and profession, including transporters, are sitting idle having no hope to keep their profession afloat. It may be noted everyday hundreds of tons of betel leaf are transported to several places of India including Delhi, Mumbai, Banaras , Azamgargh etc since the betel leaf demand of Baleswar is high in the market because of its special quality and taste.
The betel leaf is highly perishable and on regular basis they are plucked and then processed before being sent outside. North Baleswar betel leaf has a special demand within the State.
Since there is no scope of transporting betel leaf thesedays, they are not plucked from the yards, leaving them to rot. Sources said hundreds of acres of betel vine yards are facing similar fate.
Betel vine culture is one of the main sources of income of the area. Not only the farmers, but also the people associated with it are bearing the brunt of the lockdown.