In the verdant landscapes of Bangladesh, the tobacco industry emerges as a realm brimming with age-old traditions and ceaseless innovation. The odyssey from seed selection to harvest is a reflection of the farmers’ unyielding commitment and expertise. Let us venture into the heart of this enthralling industry, shedding light on the distinctive hurdles and boons of tobacco cultivation in this nation.
Early Beginnings
The saga of tobacco cultivation in Bangladesh unfurled in the 1960s. Initially overshadowed by rice and other staples, the allure of tobacco as a lucrative crop gradually captivated the agricultural sector.
Expansion and Growth
From the 1970s onward, the tobacco domain witnessed a remarkable expansion, especially in the Rangpur district, buoyed by the patronage of global tobacco behemoths. Presently, Bangladesh prides itself as the 14th premier tobacco producer globally.
Major Tobacco Producing Regions in Bangladesh
The tobacco cultivation tapestry in Bangladesh is predominantly woven in its northern and central territories. Kushtia reigns as the premier tobacco bastion, with Lalmonirhat and Nilphamari in its trail. The cultivation canvas also stretches across Bandarban, Dhaka, Chandpur, Rajshahi, Rangpur, Dinajpur, and Sylhet.
Types of Tobacco Grown in Bangladesh
Burley tobacco, a cornerstone for cigarette manufacture, stands as the primary variety cultivated in Bangladesh. The country also nurtures Virginia, dark air-cured, and cigar-filler tobaccos within its soils.
Contribution to GDP
The tobacco industry significantly propels Bangladesh’s economy forward. Exporting approximately a third of its tobacco yield, the nation encountered a staggering economic toll of BDT 305.6 billion from tobacco-related ailments and mortality in 2017-2018, equating to 1.4% of its GDP.
Employment and Livelihoods
Over 10 million impoverished households find their sustenance in tobacco cultivation, making it a pivotal agricultural endeavor in Bangladesh.
Impact on Land
The tobacco plant’s demands stretch far and wide, vying for Bangladesh’s limited arable land of 37,674,000 acres.
Impact on Water
The water footprint of tobacco cultivation is considerable, exacerbating water scarcity in certain locales.
Impact on Air
The tobacco curing process, often reliant on fire heating within sealed barns, stands as a contributor to air pollution.
The Role of Major Tobacco Companies in Bangladesh
Dominant tobacco entities in Bangladesh include British American Tobacco, clutching a 66.6% share of the cigarette market by volume, alongside Dhaka Tobacco Industries (part of Akij Group), which secures 20.5%.
Government Policies and Regulations
Amidst tobacco’s significant economic footprint, Bangladesh yet lacks a dedicated legal framework for tobacco cultivation regulation. Nonetheless, governmental strides towards curtailing tobacco production and consumption are evident.
From Humble Beginnings
The saga of tobacco in Bangladesh unfolds in the 1960s, amidst a dominion of rice and sustenance crops. Yet, the lure of tobacco, with its golden promise as a cash crop, beckoned. Thus began its cultivation, weaving into the fabric of Bangladesh’s agriculture.
The Era of Expansion
Since the dawning of the 1970s, tobacco’s roots have delved deeper into Bangladesh’s soil, especially flourishing in the Rangpur region, under the auspices of multinational tobacco behemoths. Today, Bangladesh proudly stands as the 14th largest tobacco harbinger globally.
Crucibles of Tobacco
The northern and central spheres of Bangladesh serve as the bastions of tobacco farming. Kushtia reigns supreme, followed by the verdant fields of Lalmonirhat and Nilphamari, among others, weaving a tapestry of tobacco across the land.
Varietals of the Leaf
Burley, the protagonist in the realm of cigarettes, alongside Virginia, dark air-cured, and the illustrious cigar-fillers, paint a diverse palette of tobacco varieties cultivated in Bangladesh.
An Economic Pillar
Tobacco’s tendrils entwine deeply within Bangladesh’s economy, with exports constituting a significant portion. The fiscal shadow cast by tobacco-related maladies and mortality was estimated at BDT 305.6 billion, marking 1.4% of the nation’s GDP in 2017-2018.
Sustenance for Millions
Over 10 million households, their fortunes woven with the fate of tobacco, rely on its cultivation for their livelihood, marking it a cornerstone of agricultural activity in Bangladesh.
A Duel with the Land
The cultivation of tobacco stands at odds with the finite arable land of Bangladesh, a silent battle for space and sustenance.
The Thirst of Tobacco
Water, a precious commodity, finds itself in the clutches of tobacco farming, raising the specter of scarcity amidst abundance.
Smoke into the Air
The ritual of curing tobacco, with fire as its medium, breathes smoke into the air, an unseen herald of pollution.
The Titans of Tobacco
British American Tobacco, with its lion’s share of the market, alongside Dhaka Tobacco Industries (under Akij Group), dominate the tobacco landscape in Bangladesh.
Regulatory Shadows
Despite tobacco’s economic heft, a regulatory vacuum surrounds its cultivation. Nonetheless, governmental strides have been made towards curbing the proliferation of tobacco and its kin.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Tracing the Roots: When did the tendrils of tobacco farming first take root in Bangladesh’s soil?
- The Green and the Gold: Which corners of Bangladesh have become synonymous with the verdant expanses of tobacco fields?
- A Global Contender: Where does Bangladesh stand in the international arena of tobacco production?
- The Breadth of the Leaf: What quantum of Bangladeshi land is swathed in tobacco leaves?
- The Sands of Time: How has the landscape of tobacco cultivation evolved over the annals of Bangladesh’s history?
- The Price of Smoke: Can we quantify the economic reverberations of tobacco cultivation in Bangladesh?
- A Sliver of the Economy: What fraction of Bangladesh’s GDP is woven from the threads of tobacco?
- The Ripple Effect: How does the cultivation of tobacco weave into the broader tapestry of Bangladesh’s agricultural practices?
- Titans of Tobacco: Which corporate entities cast long shadows over Bangladesh’s tobacco fields?
- Regulatory Horizons: What framework does the Bangladeshi government employ to navigate the complexities of tobacco cultivation?
- The Environmental Quandary: What are the ecological footprints left by tobacco farming in Bangladesh?
- The Human Cost: How does the cultivation of tobacco fray the fabric of public health in Bangladesh?
- Seeds of Change: Are there whispers of alternative crops rustling through Bangladesh’s tobacco fields?
- The Farmer’s Plight: What trials and tribulations beset those who till Bangladesh’s tobacco fields?
- Tomorrow’s Harvest: What does the future hold for tobacco cultivation under the Bangladeshi sun?
Recommended Books
- “Health and Environmental Impacts of Tobacco Farming in Bangladesh: A Study on Selected Districts” by Khan Ferdousour Rahman.
Sources of Information
- “Tobacco Cultivation in Bangladesh” by Craft BD.
- “Factors Associated with Cultivation of Tobacco in Bangladesh: A Multilevel Modelling Approach” by NCBI.
- “The Economic Cost of Tobacco Farming in Bangladesh” by NCBI.
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/.