In Jhenaidah, vast fields near the central bus terminal and behind the banana market are now dominated by tobacco cultivation. As one moves further along the road, the dried-up Nabaganga River reveals farmers attempting paddy cultivation in the riverbed. Excessive use of fertilizers has been degrading the fertility of agricultural land. Despite repeated warnings from the agricultural department, farmers are leasing out their lands to tobacco growers, lured by lucrative offers from tobacco companies. Each bigha (0.33 acres) of land fetches around BDT 40,000 in lease payments. Tobacco farming in the district has expanded from 193 hectares last year to 229 hectares this year, while paddy cultivation spans 90,194 hectares. Tobacco companies provide advance payments and fix purchase prices, ensuring profitability, making it an attractive option for farmers. Conversely, vegetable growers have faced heavy losses, further pushing cultivators toward tobacco farming. When questioned about paddy cultivation in the dried-up riverbed, the Water Development Board stated that a committee has already been formed to oversee the river's re-excavation.
ঝিনাইদহ কেন্দ্রীয় বাস টার্মিনাল পেরোলেই কলার হাটের পেছনে বিস্তীর্ণ মাঠজুড়ে করা হয়েছে তামাক চাষ। পাকা সড়ক ধরে এগোলে চোখে পড়বে দুই পাশে তামাক চাষের এ দৃশ্য। সড়কটি ধরে কিছুদূর এগোলেই বয়ে চলেছে নবগঙ্গা নদী। কিন্তু পানি শুকিয়ে যাওয়ায় মাঝনদীতে ধান চাষ করেছেন কৃষকেরা। শুধু এখানকারই নয়, জেলাজুড়েই এখন এমন চিত্র।
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