Tobacco cultivation harmful for environ: Minister
Wednesday, 30 March 2011
DU Correspondent
Land Minister Rezaul Karim Hira said tobacco cultivation is not only harmful for the environment and eco-system but also it makes the marginal people more vulnerable to poverty and hunger as the farming cost is higher than that of any profitable crops. The Land Minister emphasised on the need to protect the farmers as well as the land. "We have to find out substitute for tobacco cultivation as it is not only threat to farmers but also risk soil erosion," said the minister. Mr Hira made the observation while speaking as the chief guest at a two-day international workshop on "Impact of Tobacco Cultivation and Policy Advocacy for Shifting to Find Food and other Agricultural Crops" organised by Policy Research for Development Alternative (PRDA) at Senate Bhaban of Dhaka University with the financial support of the International Development Research Centre (IDRC), a Canadian leading corporation works with the researchers of developing countries. Mr Hira said that considering the reality ruling government has taken many initiatives to deter tobacco farming as it would not give any kind of agricultural loans or facilities to the tobacco farmers. The Minister also underscored the need for creating awareness among the farmers about harmful effects of farming tobacco. Chief Conservator of Forests and Director General of the Directorate of Environment addressed the function while DU Prof Emeritus Dr Zaker Hossian presided over the session.
Land Minister Rezaul Karim Hira said tobacco cultivation is not only harmful for the environment and eco-system but also it makes the marginal people more vulnerable to poverty and hunger as the farming cost is higher than that of any profitable crops. The Land Minister emphasised on the need to protect the farmers as well as the land. "We have to find out substitute for tobacco cultivation as it is not only threat to farmers but also risk soil erosion," said the minister. Mr Hira made the observation while speaking as the chief guest at a two-day international workshop on "Impact of Tobacco Cultivation and Policy Advocacy for Shifting to Find Food and other Agricultural Crops" organised by Policy Research for Development Alternative (PRDA) at Senate Bhaban of Dhaka University with the financial support of the International Development Research Centre (IDRC), a Canadian leading corporation works with the researchers of developing countries. Mr Hira said that considering the reality ruling government has taken many initiatives to deter tobacco farming as it would not give any kind of agricultural loans or facilities to the tobacco farmers. The Minister also underscored the need for creating awareness among the farmers about harmful effects of farming tobacco. Chief Conservator of Forests and Director General of the Directorate of Environment addressed the function while DU Prof Emeritus Dr Zaker Hossian presided over the session.