JALESWOR: Farmers in Mahottari Rural Municipality-6 have improved their livelihoods by earning a good income from tobacco farming.
They say tobacco farming is less labor-intensive and more cost-effective.
In recent years, many farmers have switched from paddy cultivation to tobacco farming due to limited irrigation supplies and shortages of seeds and fertilizers.
Ramjivan Saha, a farmer from the village, explained that most local farmers have transitioned to tobacco farming because of the low income and labor-intensive nature of paddy production.
He added that nearly 40 percent of the arable land in the village is now dedicated to tobacco farming, with more than 50 households cultivating tobacco on over 50 bighas of land.
Farmers report that the income from tobacco farming is three times higher than from paddy cultivation.
Ram Ekwal Saha, another farmer, shared that tobacco is sold for Rs 1,000 to Rs 1,500 per kilogram, depending on its quality. Indian traders are the primary buyers of the tobacco in Mahottari’s local markets.
Mohan Mandal, a local farmer, mentioned that around two quintals of tobacco can be produced per kathha of land, and farmers can earn a minimum of Rs 200,000 annually from tobacco cultivation.
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