Massive campaign must to discourage farmers

Massive campaigns should to be launched to discourage farmers from cultivating tobacco, which is hazardous to health, environment and agriculture, said discussants at a seminar in Rangpur yesterday.

They said the government had no specific measures to discourage tobacco farming though it adopted a law in this regard.

Such farming in Rangpur region as well as other parts of the country has been increasing, they observed.

Bangladesh Environment Lawyers Association (Bela) in association with Community Legal Services organised the daylong seminar "Mass statement over the threat of agriculture, environment and public health for tobacco cultivation" in a city hotel.

Chief Executive of Bela Syeda Rizwana Hasan made the welcome speech.

According to the Department of Agricultural Extension, Rangpur some 19,103 hectares of land are under tobacco cultivation in the division.

The tobacco companies give the farmers loan on simple conditions, they said, adding that they also supply seed, fertilisers and other inputs to the growers.