Farmer organisation Federation of All India Farmer Associations (FAIFA) has written to the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) and Finance Ministry against the WHO recommendation that alternative crops should replace tobacco as it contributes to global food crisis.
In its representation to the PMO, Finance Ministry, Commerce Ministry and the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, FAIFA has made a case that the recommendation of the World Health Organisation (WHO) is unscientific and there are no benefits of other crops replacing tobacco cultivation.
Citing a study conducted by the Central Tobacco Research Institute (CTRI), the organisation said the previous attempt made in Andhra Pradesh for substitution to alternative crops like grams and paddy led to significant losses for the farmers in comparison to their previous earnings from tobacco cultivation.
