Bangladesh: Tobacco Farming Still Continues in Rangpur Region

Tobacco farming still continues at large scale in Rangpur agriculture region following high price and lucrative incentives being provided by the tobacco companies.

The farmers have cultivated tobacco in vast tracts of fertile lands as well as dried-up riverbeds and char lands during the current season after getting bumper production and excellent price in previous seasons. Horticulture Specialist of the Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE) Khondker Md Mesbahul Islam said the farmers are still showing interests in tobacco farming despite government's discourage due to huge returns.

Tobacco cultivation did not increase during the last 2014-2015 seasons as the farmers cultivated the crop on 18,265 hectares land against 19,057 hectares of the previous 2013-2014 seasons in the region. The farmers cultivated tobacco on 33,049 hectares of land during 2009-2010 seasons, 19,040 during 2010-2011 seasons, 12,665 hectares during 2011-2012 seasons and 17,793 hectares of land during 2012-2013 seasons in Rangpur agriculture region. Harvest of tobacco will begin from February to end by March next and the farmers are expecting its bumper production this season as the tender plants are growing excellent amid favourable climatic conditions. Farmers Echahaq Ali, Aiyub Ali, Azizul Islam and Abdul Khaleque of Kathihara village in Rangpur said they have cultivated tobacco on 1.5 to 2.5 acres of land this season like in the previous seasons. Tobacco cultivation reaps more profit than any other crops in the region, they added. Adviser- Agriculture of BRAC International (South Asia & Africa) Dr M A Mazid said farmers can earn more profits by cultivating wheat, sugarcane, hybrid variety mustard and other winter crops in relay methods using latest technologies. "Tobacco cultivation still poses threat to cereal crop output, food security, human and soil health when the government has engaged hectic efforts to discourage its cultivation and use of all tobacco products for greater national interests," he added, according to BSS. Enditem