BSS, Rangpur :
Cultivation of tobacco started decreasing in Rangpur agriculture region in recent years as a result of increasing awareness among farmers about negative impacts of tobacco products on public health.
According to the Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE) sources, the farmers have been cultivating tobacco on comparatively less lands every year than the previous year despite high price and lucrative incentives being provided by tobacco companies.
Talking to BSS today, horticulture specialist of the DAE Khondker Md Mesbahul Islam said some of the farmers were still farming tobacco to earn more profits despite the government’s ongoing hectic efforts to discourage its cultivation.
“The government has been discouraging tobacco cultivation through the DAE and other agriculture and environment related departments, organisations and institutions to save soil fertility, public health and environment from hazards and pollution,” he added.
According to DAE sources, farmers cultivated tobacco on 14,225 hectares in the region this season, including 1,165 hectares in Rangpur, 90 hectares in Gaibandha, 9,220 hectares in Lalmonirhat and 3,750 hectares in Nilphamari districts.
Tobacco cultivation did not increase during the last 2015-2016 season when the farmers cultivated the crop on 16,407 hectares against 18,265 hectares of the previous 2014-2015 season.
Similarly, the farmers cultivated tobacco on 19,057 hectares during the 2013-2014 season, 17,793 hectares during 2012-2013 season, 12,665 hectares during 2011-2012 season, 19,040 hectares during 2010-2011 season and 33,049 hectares during 2009-2010 season in the region.
Harvest of tobacco will begin from February to end by March next and the farmers are expecting a bumper production of the crop this season as the tender plants are growing excellent amid favourable climatic conditions.
Talking to BSS, farmers Mohsin Ali, Aiyub Ali and Azizul Islam of Kathihara village in Rangpur said they have cultivated tobacco on one to 2.5 acres of land this season like in the previous seasons.
“I cultivate tobacco every year to get more profits and the tobacco companies encourage the farmers through providing necessary inputs, cost-free seedlings and incentives with an assurance of lucrative prices, said Echhahaq Ali of the same village.
Discouraging tobacco cultivation, regional additional director of the DAE Shah Alam said the farmers could earn even more profits by farming wheat, sugarcane, hybrid variety mustard and other winter crops in relay methods.
Cultivation of tobacco started decreasing in Rangpur agriculture region in recent years as a result of increasing awareness among farmers about negative impacts of tobacco products on public health.
According to the Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE) sources, the farmers have been cultivating tobacco on comparatively less lands every year than the previous year despite high price and lucrative incentives being provided by tobacco companies.
Talking to BSS today, horticulture specialist of the DAE Khondker Md Mesbahul Islam said some of the farmers were still farming tobacco to earn more profits despite the government’s ongoing hectic efforts to discourage its cultivation.
“The government has been discouraging tobacco cultivation through the DAE and other agriculture and environment related departments, organisations and institutions to save soil fertility, public health and environment from hazards and pollution,” he added.
According to DAE sources, farmers cultivated tobacco on 14,225 hectares in the region this season, including 1,165 hectares in Rangpur, 90 hectares in Gaibandha, 9,220 hectares in Lalmonirhat and 3,750 hectares in Nilphamari districts.
Tobacco cultivation did not increase during the last 2015-2016 season when the farmers cultivated the crop on 16,407 hectares against 18,265 hectares of the previous 2014-2015 season.
Similarly, the farmers cultivated tobacco on 19,057 hectares during the 2013-2014 season, 17,793 hectares during 2012-2013 season, 12,665 hectares during 2011-2012 season, 19,040 hectares during 2010-2011 season and 33,049 hectares during 2009-2010 season in the region.
Harvest of tobacco will begin from February to end by March next and the farmers are expecting a bumper production of the crop this season as the tender plants are growing excellent amid favourable climatic conditions.
Talking to BSS, farmers Mohsin Ali, Aiyub Ali and Azizul Islam of Kathihara village in Rangpur said they have cultivated tobacco on one to 2.5 acres of land this season like in the previous seasons.
“I cultivate tobacco every year to get more profits and the tobacco companies encourage the farmers through providing necessary inputs, cost-free seedlings and incentives with an assurance of lucrative prices, said Echhahaq Ali of the same village.
Discouraging tobacco cultivation, regional additional director of the DAE Shah Alam said the farmers could earn even more profits by farming wheat, sugarcane, hybrid variety mustard and other winter crops in relay methods.
