Bangladesh Defense Forum
Tobacco cultivation surge sparks alarm
Tobacco cultivation in the Rangpur region has increased significantly this year, with 19,250 hectares of land now under cultivation, up from 13,349 hectares last year, according to the Department of Agricultural Extension.
The department has expressed concern over this rise, noting that the cultivation area stood at 10,820 hectares in 2023.
Officials report that 60 percent of the region's tobacco is produced in Lalmonirhat, followed by 20 percent in Rangpur, 15 percent in Nilphamari, and 5 percent in Gaibandha.
Farmers, meanwhile, cite the high profitability of tobacco as a reason for its increased cultivation.
Sejab Ali, a farmer from Tiparbazar village in Aditmari, expanded his tobacco farming from four bighas last year to seven this year, earning Tk 2,77,200 from 33 maunds of tobacco in 2024 while spending Tk 86,000.
Abdul Quader, a veteran farmer from Mominpur village in Rangpur Sadar, has been cultivating tobacco for 39 years and noted a sharp rise in its production this year. He doubled his cultivation from five to 10 bighas, attributing the trend to higher market prices and the support provided by tobacco companies, including seeds, fertilisers, pesticides, and interest-free loans.
Omar Faruk, agriculture officer of Aditmari upazila, criticised tobacco companies for encouraging cultivation, which he said depletes soil fertility and hampers food production.
Obaidur Rahman Mandal, additional director of DAE in Rangpur, said tobacco cultivation, though lucrative for farmers, harms the soil, environment, and human health.
He said the DAE cannot take firm measures as tobacco cultivation has not been officially banned, adding that its unchecked growth poses a severe risk to agriculture.Lalmonirhat Deputy Commissioner HM Raqib Hayder said measures to curb tobacco cultivation would be taken in consultation with the agriculture department, and the matter has been reported to higher authorities.
Tobacco cultivation in the Rangpur region has increased significantly this year, with 19,250 hectares of land now under cultivation, up from 13,349 hectares last year, according to the Department of Agricultural Extension.
The department has expressed concern over this rise, noting that the cultivation area stood at 10,820 hectares in 2023.
Officials report that 60 percent of the region's tobacco is produced in Lalmonirhat, followed by 20 percent in Rangpur, 15 percent in Nilphamari, and 5 percent in Gaibandha.
Farmers, meanwhile, cite the high profitability of tobacco as a reason for its increased cultivation.
Sejab Ali, a farmer from Tiparbazar village in Aditmari, expanded his tobacco farming from four bighas last year to seven this year, earning Tk 2,77,200 from 33 maunds of tobacco in 2024 while spending Tk 86,000.
Abdul Quader, a veteran farmer from Mominpur village in Rangpur Sadar, has been cultivating tobacco for 39 years and noted a sharp rise in its production this year. He doubled his cultivation from five to 10 bighas, attributing the trend to higher market prices and the support provided by tobacco companies, including seeds, fertilisers, pesticides, and interest-free loans.
Omar Faruk, agriculture officer of Aditmari upazila, criticised tobacco companies for encouraging cultivation, which he said depletes soil fertility and hampers food production.
Obaidur Rahman Mandal, additional director of DAE in Rangpur, said tobacco cultivation, though lucrative for farmers, harms the soil, environment, and human health.
He said the DAE cannot take firm measures as tobacco cultivation has not been officially banned, adding that its unchecked growth poses a severe risk to agriculture.Lalmonirhat Deputy Commissioner HM Raqib Hayder said measures to curb tobacco cultivation would be taken in consultation with the agriculture department, and the matter has been reported to higher authorities.
