Tobacco Farming in Manikchhari: 3 villages give it up
Toxic runoff from upstream polluted Halda river for years; a non-govt initiative helps famers return to other crops
Fajlul Kader of Ghorkona used to grow tobacco years ago. Now he has returned to producing potatoes on his land. Photo: Star
Growing various crops was the only source of livelihood for the people of Gorkhana, Chodurkhil, and Haldarchar three villages in Manikchhari upazila of Khagrachhari where the Halda river originates.
Farming in remote, rugged territory, they had to struggle to find buyers and were often forced to sell off their produce at low prices.