Sadarpur Upazila (Faridpur) Representative:
Farmers in Sadarpur Upazila of Faridpur are not giving up tobacco cultivation due to the high profit at low cost. For this reason, farmers are reducing the cultivation of other crops and leaning towards tobacco cultivation.
Agriculture Department officials said they are explaining to farmers the ill effects of tobacco cultivation and advising them to grow different types of crops instead of tobacco.
A tour of the Katakhali and Charbishnapur areas of the upazila shows tobacco fields spread across a vast area. Some are tending the tobacco plants, others are cutting the damaged leaves. Others are fertilizing the tobacco fields with their family members. Women are also doing maintenance work in the tobacco fields. Apart from this, women and men are busy heating the huge stoves they have made to dry the tobacco fields and market the leaves.
Analysts say that farmers in this region are turning to tobacco cultivation for seven reasons, including the apathy of the agriculture department, the company's fixing of tobacco prices before production, guarantee of sales, interest-free loans for cultivation, regular field visits by company representatives, and advice.
Some farmers said that since tobacco cultivation requires less fertilizer, pesticides, and irrigation, production costs are low. And the price is also good. So, despite knowing that it is harmful to health, they are unable to stop cultivating it. And the cost of cultivating other crops is much higher. Everything is more expensive. That is why many are leaning towards tobacco cultivation.
According to the Upazila Agriculture Officer's office, tobacco has been cultivated in some areas of Katakhali and Charbishnapur unions of Bhashanchar union of the upazila this year. Previously, tobacco had not been cultivated on any land in this upazila.
