Promising Venture of Chia and Betel Nut Cultivation Within Tea Gardens

In a positive development, the 'Hadia Real Estate' operating in Bhadrapur Municipality wards 8 and 9 has expanded commercial cultivation of chia and betel nut on a 60-acre area. The estate director, Bhakti Adhikari, highlighted the benefits of mixed cultivation, stating that betel nut trees provide necessary shade for chia plants, leading to dual benefits from the same land. This innovative approach marks the first instance in Jhapa of a commercial company conducting simultaneous cultivation of these two crops institutionally. The estate has invested over Rs. 100 million for expanding betel nut cultivation within the existing tea gardens, with plans to further expand betel nut cultivation in chia gardens in the coming days. Reflecting on their experience with mixed cultivation, an official shared, "We had already planted chia in our garden a decade ago, and after observing successful betel nut growth within tea gardens in India, we decided to experiment with it ourselves." This forward-thinking approach has resulted in the growth of 60,000 betel nut trees in the 60-acre area, with expectations of increased productivity in both chia and betel nut crops. Jhapa's agricultural landscape has seen significant growth in chia cultivation across more than 21,000 hectares in 31 districts, with betel nut cultivation predominantly in Koshi Pradesh's Jhapa, Morang, Sunsari, Udayapur, and Ilam districts covering approximately 4,000 hectares. Jhapa has emerged as a key hub for betel nut production, earning the title of 'Betel Nut Capital' due to its substantial contribution to the country's overall betel nut output and land area. Farmers in areas like Mechinagar Municipality and Arjundhara Municipality, as well as Budhashanti Rural Municipality, have embraced mixed cultivation practices, incorporating crops like chia, chili, fennel, and sesame on a single plot of land to maximize profits. Ravi Nepal, a leading farmer from Mechinagar Municipality-4, has already reaped significant financial gains from such mixed cultivation practices. The Hadia Real Estate's pioneering initiative of significant investment in mixed cultivation of chia and betel nut brings forth new possibilities for farmers in Jhapa. By strategically removing obstructive trees and implementing specialized technical and labor management practices, the company is setting a positive precedent for the agricultural sector's sustainable growth.