Bangladesh’s tobacco industry is a fascinating world, steeped in tradition yet constantly evolving. From the careful selection of seeds to the meticulous process of harvesting, each step is a testament to the skill and dedication of the farmers. Join us as we delve into the intricacies of this captivating industry, exploring the unique challenges and rewards that come with growing tobacco in Bangladesh.
Early Beginnings
Tobacco cultivation in Bangladesh dates back to the 1960s. Initially, rice and other food crops dominated the agricultural landscape, but the allure of tobacco as a cash crop led to its widespread cultivation .
Expansion and Growth
Since the 1970s, tobacco farming has expanded significantly, particularly in the Rangpur region, supported by multinational tobacco companies. Today, Bangladesh is the 14th largest tobacco producing country in the world.
Major Tobacco Producing Regions in Bangladesh
Tobacco farming is primarily carried out in the northern and central regions of Bangladesh. Kushtia is the largest tobacco hub, followed by Lalmonirhat and Nilphamari. Other significant tobacco-producing areas include Bandarban, Dhaka, Chandpur, Rajshahi, Rangpur, Dinajpur, and Sylhet.
Types of Tobacco Grown in Bangladesh
The primary tobacco variety grown in Bangladesh is burley, used for making cigarettes. Other types, including Virginia, dark air-cured, and cigar-filler tobaccos, are also grown in the country .
Contribution to GDP
Tobacco farming contributes significantly to Bangladesh’s economy. The country exports around one-third of its tobacco production, and the total economic cost of tobacco-related death and disease in Bangladesh was BDT 305.6 billion, or 1.4% of the nation s GDP in 2017-2018.
Employment and Livelihoods
More than 10 million poor households in Bangladesh rely on tobacco cultivation for their livelihood, making it a major agricultural activity in the country.
Impact on Land
Tobacco farming has significant and far-reaching impacts on the land. It competes for the limited and fixed arable land of 37,674,000 acres in Bangladesh.
Impact on Water
Tobacco cultivation requires a significant amount of water, contributing to water scarcity in certain regions.
Impact on Air
The process of curing tobacco often involves fire heating in an airtight curing barn, which can contribute to air pollution.
The Role of Major Tobacco Companies in Bangladesh
Major tobacco companies in Bangladesh include British American Tobacco, which holds 66.6% of the cigarette market by volume, and Dhaka Tobacco Industries (under Akij Group), with 20.5% of the cigarette market.
Government Policies and Regulations
Despite the significant role of tobacco in Bangladesh’s economy, there is currently no law to regulate tobacco cultivation. However, the government has taken steps to discourage the production and usage of tobacco and related crops.
what are the major tobacco-growing regions in bangladesh
The major tobacco-growing regions in Bangladesh are primarily located in the Rangpur and Chittagong Hill Tracts regions.
Rangpur, due to the availability of water from the Teesta river, abundant woods for tobacco curing, and fertile land, emerged as a significant hub for tobacco cultivation in the country. The region is home to tobacco companies like British American Tobacco and Akij Group.
The Chittagong Hill Tracts, including the districts of Rangamati, Bandarban, and Khagrachhari, have also seen a significant amount of tobacco cultivation.
Other regions involved in tobacco cultivation include Nilphamari District, which produces tobacco among other crops.
It’s important to note that the British American Tobacco Company was the first company to start tobacco cultivation in Bangladesh. The company continues to have a significant presence in the country, with more than 1,200 direct employees.
what are the environmental impacts of tobacco farming in bangladesh
Tobacco farming in Bangladesh has significant and far-reaching environmental impacts, affecting the land, water, and air.
Impact on Land
Tobacco farming leads to deforestation and soil degradation. This is because tobacco plants require a significant amount of nutrients from the soil, which can lead to nutrient depletion and soil erosion over time. Additionally, the wood needed for curing tobacco often leads to deforestation.
Impact on Water
Tobacco farming requires a substantial amount of water, which can contribute to water scarcity in certain regions. The use of pesticides and fertilizers in tobacco farming can also lead to water pollution, affecting both surface and groundwater resources.
Impact on Air
The process of curing tobacco often involves fire heating in an airtight curing barn, which can contribute to air pollution. Furthermore, the study found that 62% of tobacco farmers suffer from coughing and asthmatic diseases, indicating that air quality in tobacco farming areas is significantly affected.
what are the technical sources for growing tobacco in bangladesh
The technical sources for growing tobacco in Bangladesh include:
- “Tobacco Cultivation in Bangladesh” by Craft BD, which provides an overview of the history and current state of tobacco cultivation in Bangladesh, including the shift of cultivation from one region to another over the decades.
- “Tobacco-free world: Bangladeshi farmers opt for a switch” by Unfair Tobacco, which discusses the transition of some farmers from tobacco cultivation to other crops.
- “Growth and efficiency analysis of tobacco production in Bangladesh” by ResearchGate, which analyzes the growth and efficiency of tobacco farming in Bangladesh.
- “Tobacco Farming” by TobaccoTactics, which discusses the economic aspects of tobacco farming, including its potential as a source of revenue for governments and livelihood for farmers.
- “Factors Associated with Cultivation of Tobacco in Bangladesh: A Multilevel Modelling Approach” by the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, which examines the factors associated with tobacco farming in different regions of Bangladesh.
- “Factors Associated with Cultivation of Tobacco in Bangladesh” by ResearchGate, which provides further research on tobacco farming in Bangladesh.
Conclusion
Tobacco cultivation in Bangladesh is a complex issue with economic, environmental, and health implications. While it provides livelihoods for millions and contributes to the economy, it also poses significant environmental and health challenges. Addressing these challenges requires a balanced approach that considers the livelihoods of farmers, the country’s economic needs, and the imperative to protect the environment and public health.
Statistics on Tobacco Cultivation in Bangladesh
Production Volume
The extent of tobacco cultivation remains substantially high in Bangladesh, which is the 12th largest tobacco producer in the world. While in 2007 2008, a total of 72,000 acres of land was used for tobacco cultivation, it increased to 127,000 acres by 2014 2015 a 74% increase over seven years .
Economic Impact
The total economic cost each year is estimated at BDT 305.6 billion, equivalent to 1.4% of the GDP of Bangladesh in 2017 2018.
Frequently Asked Questions
- When was tobacco farming introduced to Bangladesh?
- What regions in Bangladesh are known for tobacco cultivation?
- How does Bangladesh rank globally in terms of tobacco production?
- How much land in Bangladesh is used for tobacco cultivation?
- How has the amount of land used for tobacco cultivation changed over the years?
- What is the economic impact of tobacco cultivation in Bangladesh?
- What percentage of Bangladesh’s GDP is attributed to tobacco cultivation?
- How does tobacco cultivation affect other agricultural activities in Bangladesh?
- What are the major tobacco companies operating in Bangladesh?
- What are the government regulations related to tobacco cultivation in Bangladesh?
- What are the environmental impacts of tobacco cultivation in Bangladesh?
- What are the health impacts of tobacco cultivation in Bangladesh?
- Are there any alternatives to tobacco cultivation being explored in Bangladesh?
- What are the challenges faced by tobacco farmers in Bangladesh?
- What is the future outlook for tobacco cultivation in Bangladesh?
Recommended Books
- “Health and Environmental Impacts of Tobacco Farming in Bangladesh: A Study on Selected Districts” by Khan Ferdousour Rahman https://www.amazon.com/Environmental-Impacts-Tobacco-Farming-Bangladesh/dp/6139989892
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Environmental-Impacts-Tobacco-Farming-Bangladesh/dp/6139989892.
Sources of Information
- “Tobacco Cultivation in Bangladesh” by Craft BD https://www.craftbd.org/articles/50/Tobacco-Cultivation-in-Bangladesh.
- “Factors Associated with Cultivation of Tobacco in Bangladesh: A Multilevel Modelling Approach” by NCBI https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7344697/.
- “The Economic Cost of Tobacco Farming in Bangladesh” by NCBI https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7766910/.
Citations
- Craft BD. Tobacco Cultivation in Bangladesh https://www.craftbd.org/articles/50/Tobacco-Cultivation-in-Bangladesh.
- NCBI. Factors Associated with Cultivation of Tobacco in Bangladesh: A Multilevel Modelling Approach https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7344697/.
- Tobacco Atlas. Tobacco Production | Farms, Crops & Growing https://tobaccoatlas.org/challenges/growing/.
- Khan Ferdousour Rahman. Health and Environmental Impacts of Tobacco Farming in Bangladesh: A Study on Selected Districts https://www.amazon.com/Environmental-Impacts-Tobacco-Farming-Bangladesh/dp/6139989892.
- The Daily Star. Time to find better alternatives to tobacco farming https://www.thedailystar.net/opinion/news/time-find-better-alternatives-tobacco-farming-2049365.
- NCBI. The Economic Cost of Tobacco Farming in Bangladesh https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7766910/.