Betel Leaf or “Paan” has been seen across all streets in contemporary India. Paan consumption has continued to be a post-meal ritual for several centuries. Mahoba in Uttar Pradesh is known for cultivating a unique variety of pan called “Desawari”. But extreme weather conditions induced by climate change and rising input costs are making betel cultivation unviable in Mahoba.

In this episode, Sneha Richhariya travels to Mahoba, a city in Uttar Pradesh, known for Desi Pan cultivation, to know why the city which once had a flourishing trade of pan, is now struggling to keep the paan legacy alive. In 2021, Mahoba’s Desawari pan variety was awarded a Geographical Indication (GI) tag, but farmers now fear its extinction. Why? Listen to know more.

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