Mysore/Mysuru: More than 1.3 million people die of tobacco use every year in India and a majority of them are afflicted with cancer. The country, which is the second largest consumer of tobacco in the world, accounts for almost half of all oral cancers and the highest burden of tuberculosis globally.

 Not surprisingly, smoking will kill 8 million people each year globally by 2030. Yet tobacco remains to be the single most widely available addictive substance, and can be easily purchased anywhere.

India is also the third largest producer of tobacco in the world, with Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat and UP accounting for almost 80% of total production.

In this direction, phased reduction in tobacco farming and helping farmers shift to a safer and economically viable alternative crop can prove to be a game changer in prevention and control of tobacco use.

In this endeavour, Antardhwani, HCG’s independent think tank, has launched the country’s first-of-its-kind alternative farming project in Hunsur region, the State’s tobacco growing hub.

The project involves 50 tobacco farmers, who are primarily growing sandalwood besides other seasonal fruits in 1 acre of their respective agricultural land, putting the project size to a total of 50 acres in the first phase.

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.

Farmers Kenchegowda, Anil Gowda, Ravindra Gowda and Roop from Hunsur have welcomed alternate crops and have started growing alternate crops like Sandalwood, Sapota and Guava.