United News of Bangladesh

What was once a farming community dependent on seasonal rice cultivation has evolved into a thriving hub of commercial betel leaf production, bringing prosperity and optimism to hundreds of families in three villages of Naogaon. For many farming families in Jalm, Magura and Jageshwar, the vibrant green betel gardens symbolise more than agricultural success—they represent financial independence and a promising future built leaf by leaf. About 11 kilometers of the three villages under in Kirtipur Union in Sadar upazila, are now widely known as the district's "betel villages.” Rows of neatly maintained betel gardens stretch across homesteads and agricultural fields, reflecting years of hard work and investment by farmers who have embraced the high-value crop as a sustainable source of income. Home to around 2,500 people, the three villages have become a model for commercial betel cultivation, replacing traditional dependence on paddy farming with a more profitable agricultural enterprise. From Rice Fields to Prosperity According to local farmers and officials, the area's elevated, flood-free sandy loam soil and favorable climate provide ideal conditions for betel cultivation. Combined with controlled irrigation, proper drainage, regular maintenance and guidance from agricultural extension officials, farmers have developed efficient and modern cultivation practices.