Photo: Messenger
In Chakaria Upazila of Cox's Bazar district, tobacco companies are actively encouraging farmers to cultivate tobacco in various ways. As a result, many farmers, along with their families, are turning to tobacco cultivation. Despite discouragement from the Department of Agriculture, tobacco cultivation is not decreasing. Farmers say that they are producing tobacco even knowing the risks of respiratory problems and various other diseases. This is because this crop can be produced in three months, and selling tobacco is very easy with the help of tobacco companies. They also earn more profit from it.
The Chakaria Agricultural Extension Department reports that there are approximately 22,000 hectares of agricultural land in 18 unions and one municipality of the upazila. Among them, tobacco is cultivated on 620 hectares of arable land in five unions.
Visiting different areas of Chakaria Upazila, one can see vast areas of tobacco fields. Some are taking care of the tobacco plants, some are cutting damaged leaves, and others are fertilising the tobacco fields with their family members.
Nandan Barua, a tobacco farmer from Manikpur village, says that tobacco cultivation requires a lot of hard work and is also harmful to health. However, there is more profit in tobacco cultivation. Tobacco worth about one lakh taka is sold per bigha. 5,000 saplings can be planted per bigha, and 10 maunds of dried tobacco are obtained. Every kg of dried tobacco is sold for about 200 taka. The cost is about 40 to 50 thousand taka, and the profit is 50 to 60 thousand taka. The tobacco cultivation is completed in three months.
Ali Hossain, Md. Ibrahim, and several other tobacco farmers said that the cost of boro rice cultivation is much higher, but the profit in tobacco cultivation is higher compared to the production cost. They do not have to go to markets to sell tobacco leaves. People from tobacco companies come to their homes and arrange for the sale of tobacco and encourage them to cultivate tobacco. The companies provide fertilizers and seeds through advance loan cards.
Agriculturist Imtiaz said that the companies have created very large purchasing centers and godowns in various areas for the convenience of the farmers. Their employees go to the fields every day and talk to the farmers and give necessary advice. But such initiatives have never been seen from the Department of Agriculture for the production of other crops. For these reasons, farmers are turning to tobacco cultivation.
According to the Chakaria Agricultural Extension Department, tobacco has been cultivated in the upazila for a long time. They are sincere and active in discouraging farmers from tobacco cultivation and are advising them on cultivating rice, maize, wheat, potatoes, and fruits. Farmers are also being given various facilities, including government incentives. Farmers will come out of tobacco cultivation if they are aware.
Public health expert Dr. Shahadat said that tobacco is very harmful to health and the environment. Tobacco powder enters the human body through the respiratory tract with the air and damages the lungs. Due to this tobacco, people can suffer from various diseases, including bronchitis, asthma, and TB. Many such patients are involved in tobacco production.
Messenger/Tushar
