Mysuru: An initiative to reduce the tobacco cultivation area and encourage the farmers to grow alternative crops to bring down the tobacco production as a solution to growing cancer cases is now yielding results in the district. This initiative is the brainchild of Antardhwani, HealthCare Global Enterprises Ltd (HCG) independent think-tank.
It is the country’s first-of-its-kind alternative farming project in Karnataka’s Hunsur region, the state’s tobacco-growing hub. As part of this drive, phased reduction in tobacco farming and shift to a safer and economically viable alternative crop is proving a game-changer in the prevention and control of tobacco use.
The project involves 50 tobacco farmers, who are primarily growing sandalwood besides other seasonal fruits in one acre of their respective agricultural land, putting the project size to a total of 50 acres in the first phase.
Under this initiative, more than 15,000 high-grade saplings of sandalwood and over 8,000 saplings of lucrative seasonal fruits have already been supplied to the farmers free of cost. “We are joining forces with agronomists, ecologists, medical practitioners and other relevant experts to guide decision-making at every step of the process,” said Dr Ajaikumar, executive chairman, HCG.
“We all got into oncology to save lives and cure people of cancer, and not for business. That’s why HCG has over 25 state-of-the-art cancer hospitals in the country and abroad. Now, it’s time to eliminate the root cause of cancer — tobacco. That’s when we doctors will actually realise our dream of saving as many lives,” he added.
The project involves growers of FCV (Flue Cured Virginia) tobacco used for cigarettes, which is highly remunerative and has international market and institutional support, and is backed by the tobacco industry.
Farmers Kenchegowda, Anil Gowda, Ravindra Gowda, and Roopa from Hunsur welcomed alternate crops. They have started growing crops like Sandalwood, Sapota, and Guava.
Dr MS Vishveshwara, medical superintendent, Bharath Hospital and Institute of Oncology, Mysuru Gym & Fitness Owners’ Association founder & president Harsha M S and others were present.
It is the country’s first-of-its-kind alternative farming project in Karnataka’s Hunsur region, the state’s tobacco-growing hub. As part of this drive, phased reduction in tobacco farming and shift to a safer and economically viable alternative crop is proving a game-changer in the prevention and control of tobacco use.
The project involves 50 tobacco farmers, who are primarily growing sandalwood besides other seasonal fruits in one acre of their respective agricultural land, putting the project size to a total of 50 acres in the first phase.
Under this initiative, more than 15,000 high-grade saplings of sandalwood and over 8,000 saplings of lucrative seasonal fruits have already been supplied to the farmers free of cost. “We are joining forces with agronomists, ecologists, medical practitioners and other relevant experts to guide decision-making at every step of the process,” said Dr Ajaikumar, executive chairman, HCG.
“We all got into oncology to save lives and cure people of cancer, and not for business. That’s why HCG has over 25 state-of-the-art cancer hospitals in the country and abroad. Now, it’s time to eliminate the root cause of cancer — tobacco. That’s when we doctors will actually realise our dream of saving as many lives,” he added.
The project involves growers of FCV (Flue Cured Virginia) tobacco used for cigarettes, which is highly remunerative and has international market and institutional support, and is backed by the tobacco industry.
Farmers Kenchegowda, Anil Gowda, Ravindra Gowda, and Roopa from Hunsur welcomed alternate crops. They have started growing crops like Sandalwood, Sapota, and Guava.
Dr MS Vishveshwara, medical superintendent, Bharath Hospital and Institute of Oncology, Mysuru Gym & Fitness Owners’ Association founder & president Harsha M S and others were present.