12/11/07
The local Church is urging tobacco farmers here to plant more sellable crops using organic methods that do not harm the environment. “We are campaigning for farmers to plant alternative and high-value commercial crops,” said Father Rufo Abaya, social action director of Nueva Segovia archdiocese. His diocese, based in Vigan City, 340 kilometers northwest of Manila, comprises Ilocos Sur province, where tobacco is the main cash crop after the rice-growing season. Father Abaya told UCA News on Nov. 12 that Ilocos Sur farmers have suffered great losses in the past four tobacco seasons due to low prices and the high cost of production. “Bankrupt” tobacco farmers have told him they were not able to settle their debts with tobacco traders, who lend them money. “The general perception of the Ilokanos (Ilocos people) is that the tobacco industry is going to be a sunset industry,” the priest said.
See: http://www.ucanews.com/
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