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Tobacco boom threatens important crops in Rangpur district

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Tobacco boom threatens important crops in Rangpur district





Sunday, 17 November 2024 18:10 Last update date: Sunday, 17 November 2024 18:24

Photo: S Dilip Roy

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Photo: S Dilip Roy

Farmers in Rangpur district have become keen on growing tobacco on more land this year after making profits from tobacco sales last year.

Representatives of seven domestic and foreign tobacco companies are also reportedly encouraging local farmers to expand tobacco cultivation.

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The rapid expansion of tobacco cultivation in the region threatens the production of winter vegetables, mustard, wheat and paddy.

However, the Agricultural Extension Department has not yet taken any steps to deter farmers in this regard.

Gajendra Nath Sen, 58, of Senpara village in Aditmari upazila of Lalmonirhat, said that he cultivated tobacco in four big lands and produced 33 tonnes of tobacco, selling them for Tk 8,400 per maund, making a profit of around Tk 2 lakh.

“Representatives of tobacco companies told us that prices will increase even more this year. We do not have any problems in selling the tobacco we produce. Companies provide us with all the necessary support, and I have prepared 8 large hectares of land. We will plant tobacco this year,” he said.

Photo: S Dilip Roy

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Photo: S Dilip Roy

Bishnu Chandra Sen, 60, another farmer from the same village, echoed similar sentiments.

Abul Hossain, 65, a farmer from Tabakpur village under Rangpur Sadar upazila, said more and more farmers are engaging in tobacco cultivation over time due to high financial returns.

“Fertile lands are required for tobacco cultivation. Due to the widespread use of tobacco cultivation, the land allocated to vegetable, wheat, mustard and paddy cultivation is decreasing, which reduces the production of these products.”

DAE officials said that tobacco was grown on 13,349 hectares of land in Rangpur district last year, of which 9,500 hectares were in Lalmonirhat alone.

They added that around 40,000 farmers cultivate tobacco in Rangpur district.

Journalist Khorshed Alam, a member of the Anti-Tobacco Media Alliance, claimed that tobacco was grown in nearly twice as many areas last year compared to the figure provided by the DAE.

He warned that if tobacco companies are not taken under control, tobacco cultivation in the region will continue to increase.

Representatives of the three tobacco companies were contacted but they declined to comment, citing their companies’ confidentiality.

Omor Faruk, agriculture officer of Lalmonirhat’s Aditmari upazila, said tobacco cultivation could be spread over 15-20 per cent more land this year.

“We are trying to raise awareness among farmers against tobacco cultivation, but they ignore our words and are enthusiastic about tobacco cultivation in the hope of financial gain,” he said.

HM Raqib Haider, deputy commissioner of Lalmonirhat, said steps have been taken to raise awareness against tobacco cultivation among farmers and prevent fertile land from being used to prioritize food production.

The official added that a letter was sent to higher authorities seeking instructions so that tobacco companies should not encourage farmers to grow tobacco.

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