DNA testing uncertainty leaves betel nut export in limbo

KATHMANDU: The betel nut trade, a major cash crop, has been in limbo as a parliamentary committee has directed the government to make arrangements for the export of betel nut only after conducting DNA test.

Betel nut has been produced in various districts including Jhapa for many years.

The betel nut produced in Nepal is exported to India.

According to the Betel Nut Farming Development Association, 15,000 metric tonnes of betel nut is being produced annually in the eastern region. As per the prevailing market price, the quantity costs Rs 8 to 12 billion.

The future of 100,000 farmers engaged in betel nut cultivation from Jhapa to Udayapur has turned dark with the suspension of exports due to policy confusion, said Association’s central chair Nilakantha Tiwari.

“The parliamentary committee has directed the Ministries of Finance and Commerce to make arrangements for exporting only after DNA testing,” he said.

It may be noted that the Sustainable Development and Good Governance Development Committee of the National Assembly had instructed the Ministry of Commerce and the Ministry of Finance in writing to export betel nut only after DNA testing.

Although DNA testing is said to be done, the laboratory has not been established yet. India has fixed a quota for the export of betel nut produced in Nepal.

The parliamentary committee had directed the government to prevent the export of betel nut to India under the same quota by undertaking DNA test to prove the betel nut being exported was produced within the country.

Farmers said that DNA testing has become a major bottleneck to the export of betel nut. There has been no export of betel nut since last year.

Jeevan Pandey of Mechinagar Municipality has been worried of obstruction to the sale of betel nut this year as well. He has cultivated betel nut in one and a half bighas of paddy fields.

Pawan Baraili, ward member of Mechinagar-4 Bahundangi, complained that the government has failed to provide subsidies and facilities to the betel nut farmers.

He lamented that the farmers were attracted to cash crops including betel nut and tea for their livelihood after wild elephants started damaging paddy, maize and other crops in Bahundangi.

Bahundangi, Sanischare and Budhare of Jhapa are considered to be the pioneers in betel nut production.

Association President Tiwari said that the DNA test should not be entangled. The DNA testing of betel nut exported in different times and quantities is not possible, he said.