The study attempted to critically review the status and scope of betel vine, specifically to Deo block of Aurangabad district of Bihar. Betel vine cultivation faces a serious drawback and concern to the small holder farmers. The result revealed that the most important constraints for betel vine cultivation was boroj preparation, heavy incidence of pest and diseases, high price fluctuations of betel leaves and high wages of labour as well as high input costs. The farmers also identified that lack of storage facilities and high post harvest losses as the factors that limits the cultivation of betel vines. There was also lack of labour availability and proper market information to the farmers which hampers its production, however, excess summer heat and scorching of betel leaves remains as the major concern to the farmers. Despite being several constraints farmers continue the cultivation of betel vine as it generates regular and quick cash income and offers higher net returns as compared to other crops. Betel vine cultivation also offers better opportunity for engaging family labour which makes inspection of the field easy as joint management of the farm requires less inspection.

Highlights

• Betel vine cultivation remains as the tradition among many farmers which enables them to produce betel leaf inspite of several constraints.
• Wastage of betel leaves due to scorching heat, drying, discoloring etc. may be avoided by adopting new and improved techniques of cultivation and can be put to other alternative uses.