Tobacco boom threatens major crops in Rangpur region

Sun, Nov 17, 2024 6:10 p.m. Last updated: Sun, Nov 17, 2024 6:24 p.m.

Photo: S Dilip Roy

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Photo: S Dilip Roy

Farmers in the Rangpur region have become enthusiastic to cultivate tobacco on more land this year after making profits from selling tobacco last year.

Representatives of seven domestic and foreign tobacco companies would also encourage local farmers to expand tobacco cultivation.

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

However, the Agricultural Extension Department is yet to take any steps to deter farmers in this regard.

Gajendra Nath Sen, 58, of Senpara village under Aditmari upazila of Lalmonirhat, said he had grown tobacco on four bighas of land and produced 33 maunds of tobacco, which he sold for Tk 8,400 each, making a profit of nearly Tk 2 lakh.

“Representatives of the tobacco companies told us that the price will increase again this year. We do not have to face any complications in selling the tobacco that we produce. The companies also give us all the necessary support, it is why I have prepared eight bighas of land to grow 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 of Tabakpur village under Rangpur Sadar upazila, said more and more farmers are taking up tobacco cultivation over time due to high financial returns.

“Tobacco requires fertile land for its cultivation. Due to the expansion of tobacco cultivation, the allocation of land for cultivation of vegetables, wheat, mustard and paddy is decreasing, thereby decreasing production of these cultures,” he added.

DAE officials said tobacco was cultivated last year on 13,349 hectares of land in Rangpur region, including 9,500 hectares in Lalmonirhat alone.

Around 40,000 farmers in the Rangpur region cultivate tobacco, they added.

Journalist Khorshed Alam, a member of the Anti-Tobacco Media Alliance, said tobacco was grown last year on about twice as much land as the figure provided by the DAE.

If tobacco companies are not controlled, tobacco cultivation will continue to grow in the region, he warned.

Representatives of three tobacco companies were contacted but declined to comment on the matter, citing the confidentiality of their respective companies.

Omor Faruk, an agricultural official in Lalmonirhat’s Aditmari upazila, said tobacco cultivation could expand to 15 to 20 percent more land this year.

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

SM Raqib Hayder, deputy commissioner of Lalmonirhat, said steps were being taken to sensitize farmers against tobacco cultivation and prevent fertile land from being used to prioritize food production.

A letter has been sent to higher authorities seeking instructions so that tobacco companies cannot encourage farmers to grow tobacco, he added.