The Government of India has amended the Tobacco Board Rules, 1976, extending Virginia tobacco grower registrations and barn licenses from 1 year to 3 years, easing compliance for farmers starting the 2025-26 crop season in Andhra Pradesh.

About Tobacco Farming

• Tobacco is native to South America and includes over 60 known species, cultivated globally for commercial use.
• Ideal conditions for tobacco:
  • Temperatures of 20°–27°C
  • Minimum rainfall of 500 mm
  • Sandy or sandy loam soils
  • 90–120 day frost-free period.

Status of Tobacco Production in India

• India is the 2nd largest producer and 4th largest exporter of unmanufactured tobacco (in value terms, 2023).
• In FY 2024-25, India’s tobacco exports earned USD 1979 million (₹16,728 crore).
• Major tobacco-producing states include Gujarat (30% of total output), Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Uttar Pradesh, and Bihar.

Different types of tobacco varieties grown in India

Significance of the Extension

• The 3-year registration/license validity reduces the administrative and financial burden on around 83,500 Virginia tobacco farmers and 91,000 barn operators across Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Telangana, and Odisha.
• This reform promotes ease of doing business, allowing growers to focus on crop quality, productivity, and export readiness rather than annual paperwork.
• The policy shift supports better long-term planning and investment, contributing to rural economic stability and reinforcing India’s position in the global tobacco market.

WHO’s Actions to Address Tobacco Farming

• Promoting Crop Alternatives: WHO supports farmers in shifting from tobacco to sustainable, economically viable alternative crops.
  • For Example , WHO’s Tobacco-Free Farms programme was initiated in Migori County, Kenya, in 2021, and has since expanded to Meru, Busia and Bungoma Counties in Kenya and Eastern Province in Zambia.
• Advocating for Policy Change: It works with governments to develop policies that discourage tobacco farming and support farmers during transitions.
• Raising Health Awareness:  WHO educates communities on the health and environmental harms of tobacco cultivation and exposure.
• Supporting Livelihood Programs:  It collaborates with organizations to create programs that improve the livelihoods of former tobacco farmers.
• Encouraging Global Cooperation: WHO fosters international partnerships to share knowledge, funding, and resources for reducing tobacco dependence.
  • The World Health Organization Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC) is an international treaty that aims to reduce the demand and supply of tobacco.

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