Tobacco Growers Should Take to Alternative Farming: Govt

Source from:  Press Trust of India 10/08/2012

As part of its commitment to discourage use of tobacco, the Government is keen to see that tobacco growers in the country take to alternative farming, Commerce Minister Anand Sharma said in Rajya Sabha today. At the same time, he maintained that the government is taking all measures to protect their interests and has started special welfare schemes for them. He said during Question Hour that a fund has been created to provide subsidies to tobacco growers and loans for education of their children. Sharma said there was a provision to impose penalties for excess production but noted it will take time to shift the tobacco growers into alternative farming. "Those growing tobacco on irrigated lands are being helped to take to alternative crop cultivation. …it is our international commitment to decrease the use of tobacco," he said. Enditem