Abstract:
Tobacco cultivation has significant environmental consequences, including deforestation, soil degradation, water contamination, and increased carbon emissions. These effects contribute to the larger carbon emissions and pose long-term ecological and socio-economic challenges. This study aims to explore farmers' perceptions of the environmental impacts and the carbon absorption aswell as emissions associated with tobacco cultivation. The study employed questionnaire-type approach of randomly selecting tobacco farmers in three villages each from two Districts i.e. Swabi (Yarhussain, Yaqubi and Sudher) and Charsadda (Shodag, Kooz Behram Dheri and Hisara Nehri) and interviewed together insights of tobacco farming impacts. Quantitative data were alsocollected on the absorption and emissions of carbon during the crop cultivation phase in these areas. The results revealed that the farmers generally acknowledged tobacco’s high input demands, such as fertilizers and pesticides, limited awareness on the negative environmental consequences, such as soil degradation, water pollution, and long-term ecological harm. Deforestation due to wood burning for tobacco curing was the widely recognized issue. More than75% of the respondents agreed on this issue, yet most farmers prioritized short term economic gains over environmental considerations. Quantitative analysis indicated that tobacco cultivation resulted in considerable carbon emissions, primarily due to wood burning during the curing process, which accounted for over 98% of total emissions. Fertilizers and pesticides contributed to smaller amounts. Conversely, the carbon absorption potential of the tobacco crop duringthe growing period was considerably lower, leading to a net positive carbon footprint. Emission levels varied within the villages, as Sudher and Shodag exhibiting the highest carbon emissions due to intensive curing, while Yaqubiand Kooz Bahram Dheri reported lower, though still significant, emissions. The study highlights the significant environmental footprint of tobacco farming inthe region and more awareness and sustainable practices to mitigate its ecological impacts is needed.
Page(s):
132-132
DOI:
DOI not available
Published:
Journal: 1st International Conference on "Recent Advances in Green Biotechnology and Climate Resilience", September 15-16, 2025, Volume: 1, Issue: 1, Year: 2025
Keywords:
Tobacco
,
Environmental impacts
,
carbon emissions absorption
,
Farmers perception