Harvest of tobacco begins in Kasaragod

Source from:  The Hindu  03/28/2007

KASARAGOD: Harvesting of tobacco leaves has started in the few remaining tobacco fields in the district reviving memories of the past when cultivation was widespread here. Kasaragod and Palakkad are the only districts in the State producing tobacco. The farmers here claim to produce the best tobacco in the State. At present, tobacco cultivation is confined to very few panchayats in the district because of a variety of reasons. The joint director of Agriculture in the district told The Hindu that the department was not promoting tobacco cultivation conforming to the policy of the Union and State Governments. Locals said the acquisition of fields at Bekkal for tourism purposes was another reason for the decline in tobacco cultivation. The main centres of tobacco production in the district include Pallikkara, Pulloor Periya, Kodom Beloor and Ajanoor panchayats. The present harvest, which began on March 20, is likely to end in two weeks.