Tobacco farming is on rise in Netrakona ignoring its harmful effect on health

Despite campaigns against tobacco farming from various anti-tobacco platforms, cultivation of this unwholesome crop is on rise at different parts of Netrakona district.

The farmers claimed that they are getting inspired to cultivate tobacco with the hope of good prices and higher profits, though it causes destruction of the fertility to the arable land.

The agriculture department said effective steps will be taken to control tobacco cultivation as farming tobacco is not only destroying the fertility of the land, but also having a serious impact on the health of the farmers and their family members as well.

Visiting different areas, it is found that tobacco cultivation is increasing in Kendua and Barhatra upazilas of Netrakona, specially in Chirang, Dulli, Bairati and Chilimpur areas here as farmers are seeing more profit in tobacco cultivation than that of food-grains.

Talking to BSS, farmer Yakub Ali of Kendua said they have been cultivating tobacco since the time of their forefathers, and it does not do any harm to them.

Not only that many farmers in Charpara village in Barhatra upazila have also shown their eagerness  to continue tobacco cultivation.
Echoing with him, several local tobacco farmers said, “Tobacco farming yields more income than rice. Here, the tobacco company pays money in advance, so you don’t have to wait for the sale after production, the company comes and takes the tobacco.”

The local agricultural office has not told them anything, so they are continuing the tobacco cultivation, the local farmers added.

Associate Professor Mohammad Abdul Gani of Netrokona Medical College said, “Tobacco cultivation not only reduces the fertility of the land, it is also seriously harmful to the health of farmers.”

In particular, prolonged exposure to tobacco cultivation increases the risk of respiratory problems and various complex diseases, he added.

Asked about tobacco cultivation in the district, Mohammad Nuruzzaman, Deputy Director of the District Agricultural Extension Department, said, “Tobacco is currently being cultivated on 7 hectares of land in Netrokona . . . Effective measures will be taken to control tobacco cultivation soon and farmers will be encouraged to cultivate alternative crops.”

Although tobacco farming is financially profitable, tobacco cultivation is having adverse effects on the environment, the official added.

“Tobacco cultivation was almost stopped, but farmers are interested in cultivating tobacco again with the hope of cash profit although they get temporary financial benefits from this, it will have a negative impact in the long term,” said environmentalist Md Ohidur Rahman.

Highlighting the adverse effect of the tobacco cultivation, he said, “Children will grow with various diseases, women may become infertile, heart problems, cancer and other complex diseases may be affected. Tobacco cultivation will have a bad impact on the environment around us, it will have a negative impact on fish production and the reproduction of various aquatic plants.”

He suggested the farmers to cultivate various vegetables in winter season to protect themselves from the dangers of tobacco. (BSS)