Bangladeshi farmers decry tobacco production

Farmers in the Lalmonirhat district of Bangladesh yesterday protested against the production of tobacco in their area, according to a story in The Financial Express.

The farmers were demanding the imposition of strong policies against tobacco farming and adequate support for substitute crops.

Hundreds of farmers were said to have taken part in a procession under the banner of the ‘Agitated Farmers Society’ at Mission Mour, Lalmonirhat town.

The farmers said that tobacco companies were increasing tobacco cultivation ‘aggressively’ in their area.

They claimed tobacco cultivation was increasing ‘alarmingly’ every year and they blamed the absence of effective government policies to discourage this.

The farmers said that because of the ‘unbearable’ smell and smoke given off as tobacco was cured using wood fuel, the environment was being polluted.