Rangpur Correspondent :
Cultivation of tobacco, a harmful crop is going on unchecked in Rangpur Division posing serious threat to both public health and environment.
Sources said that tobacco farming has increased alarmingly this season in the region, as the farmers are getting attracted again towards its cultivation following lower market price of paddy and lucrative incentives being given by the tobacco companies to boost up its production.
According to sources of Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE), Rangpur, tobacco has been cultivated on 20,813 hectares of land in 8 districts under the division during the current season against 15,696 hectares during last season.
Jotis Chandra, a tobacco grower of Fakiran Sardar para at Paglapir union in Rangpur district told The New Nation that he used to cultivate paddy on his land but this season he is cultivating tobacco as the tobacco companies are providing him with necessary inputs and cash incentives.
He said that he cultivated tobacco on one acre of land during the current season by spending Tk about 24,000 and is expecting to earn over Tk 55,000 by selling his produce.
Cultivation of tobacco, a harmful crop is going on unchecked in Rangpur Division posing serious threat to both public health and environment.
Sources said that tobacco farming has increased alarmingly this season in the region, as the farmers are getting attracted again towards its cultivation following lower market price of paddy and lucrative incentives being given by the tobacco companies to boost up its production.
According to sources of Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE), Rangpur, tobacco has been cultivated on 20,813 hectares of land in 8 districts under the division during the current season against 15,696 hectares during last season.
Jotis Chandra, a tobacco grower of Fakiran Sardar para at Paglapir union in Rangpur district told The New Nation that he used to cultivate paddy on his land but this season he is cultivating tobacco as the tobacco companies are providing him with necessary inputs and cash incentives.
He said that he cultivated tobacco on one acre of land during the current season by spending Tk about 24,000 and is expecting to earn over Tk 55,000 by selling his produce.
