Tobacco cultivation with govt subsidised fertiliser!

The government subsidised chemical fertilisers meant for encouraging cultivation of different food crops is also used for tobacco farming as there is apparently no restriction on selling it to the growers of the harmful crop.

Meanwhile, tobacco cultivation sees a gradual decline in Jhenidah.

Our Nilphamari correspondent reports: The availability of subsidised fertilisers for tobacco farmers serves as counterproductive to the government's agriculture and health departments' motivational programmes against the cultivation and use of tobacco.

In the ongoing rabi season from October to March, the Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE) has set a target of Boro paddy cultivation on 84,279 hectares and other crops like potato, maize, wheat, mustard, vegetables and pulses on around 60,000 hectares of land in Nilphamari, said Keramat Ali, additional deputy director of DAE.

“To meet fertiliser requirement throughout this season, the government has allocated 5,881 tonnes of triple super phosphate (TSP), 9,018 tonnes of di-ammonium phosphate (DAP), 8,530 tonnes of murate of potash (MoP) and 29,211 tonnes of nitrogenated urea,” he said.

The government is giving 35 percent to 40 percent subsidy against the fertilisers and accordingly reduced price of a kg of TSP stands at only Tk 22, DAP at Tk 25, MoP at Tk 15 and urea at Tk 16, said Abdul Wahed, district unit president of Bangladesh Fertiliser Association (BFA).

“Tobacco has been cultivated on 3,560 hectares of land in the district this year and availability of subsidised fertiliser is partly responsible for its cultivation in such a big area,” said Atowar Rahman, coordinator of local non-governmental organisation 'Camp' that launches campaign against tobacco.

“Fertiliser dealers welcome tobacco farmers, as they buy it for ready cash unlike poor farmers of other crops who purchase fertiliser on credit and pay after the crop harvest,” said Saiful Islam, 45, a tobacco farmer of Borovita village in Kishoreganj upazila.

Investigation by this correspondent found that several tobacco companies are engaged in motivating farmers to cultivate the crop in the area.

“We sell fertiliser to anyone coming to buy it as there is no restriction,” said Taposh Saha, BFA's district unit secretary.

Abul Kashem Azad, deputy director of district DAE, said, “A section of tobacco farmers procure fertilisers from dealers who bring it from other districts where it is surplus.”

Our Jhenidah Correspondent adds: Tobacco farming in the district sees a gradual decrease, despite financial and other supports by tobacco companies for its growth.

The tobacco cultivation area in Jhenidah was 700 hectares in 2015-16 fiscal year, 660 hectares in 2016-17 and 477 hectares this year, said sources of the Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE).

However, in Sadar upazila, tobacco farming increased to 150 hectares from last year's 110 hectares and in Harinakundo upazila, to 145 hectares from last year's 95 hectares, they said.

Several farmers of Sadar upazila said tobacco farming in the area has increased with the help of British American Tobacco Company.

“The company provides loan before tobacco cultivation and ensures cash payment after its harvest. They also provide fertilisers and other medicines during the cultivation period,” said Lutfor Rahman, a tobacco grower of Jorapukur village.

Abdul Aziz of Pobohati village said he has cultivated tobacco on 3.5 bighas of land at a cost of Tk 1.75 lakh and expects to get Tk 3.50 lakh by selling the produce this year.

Source: thedailystar, 14 feb, 2018