Problems of Women Workers of Betel Nut Processing Units in Jalpaiguri District, West Bengal

Areca nut, often known as betel nut, is an important cash crop in India and it is used for religious, social, and ceremonial purposes. India is the largest producer of arecanut in the world. Millions of people depend on areca nut cultivation, related processing activities and arecanut trade for their livelihood and hence their interests needed to be safeguarded (Cheriyan and Manojkumar, 2020). Processing of areca nut in North Bengal is a traditional occupation (Mula et al. 2015). Betel nut workers are those who are involved in the cultivation, harvesting, and processing of betel nut. The processing of raw betel nut is labour intensive work. Women workers play a very significant role in betel nut processing such as peeling, cutting, grading and preparing “Tipni” in Jalpaiguri District. The nature of the processing units is unorganized. The betel nut processing units thus plays a vital role in providing employment opportunities to rural women. This article will attempt to find out the problems of women workers of the betel nut processing units in Jalpaiguri District and suggests some remedial measures.