Muzaffarabad, July 22 -- Farmers in Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK) are increasingly abandoning traditional crops such as rice and vegetables in favour of tobacco cultivation for higher returns, rising input costs and inadequate support from the agriculture authorities.

According to residents, agricultural patterns have changed significantly over the past few years, with tobacco replacing food crops that once met local consumption needs.

The trend has raised concerns over food security, public health and environmental sustainability.

Saad Hameed, a resident, said that fields which once produced rice, tomatoes and other vegetables are now being converted into tobacco farms because of the higher profits.

"A few years ago, ric...