East Medinipur, April 3 -- The long-pending demand for a dedicated research institute for betel leaf cultivation has emerged as a key election issue among farmers and traders in Purba Medinipur district ahead of the West Bengal assembly polls.

Farmers and traders engaged in the betel leaf (paan) industry have been seeking the establishment of an institute that could undertake research on processing, explore medicinal properties, and address persistent cultivation challenges.

"We have formally requested the government to establish a dedicated Betel Leaf Research Institute to support the industry, but it is yet to come into existence," said Mahadev Das, President of the Betel Leaf Traders' Association.

The association had also urged Trin...