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.
Tobacco Board Of India
- The Tobacco Board was established in 1976 under the Tobacco Board Act, 1975 by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India.
- Its headquarters is located in Guntur, Andhra Pradesh, a major tobacco-producing region in India.
- The Board’s primary role is to regulate, promote, and develop the tobacco industry, especially Virginia tobacco, including activities like grower registration, barn licensing, and export facilitation.
- It also ensures quality control, provides market support to farmers, and promotes research and sustainability in tobacco cultivation and trade.
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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
| Category |
Tobacco Variety |
Growing Regions |
Characteristics / Use |
| FCV Tobacco |
Flue-Cured Virginia (FCV) |
Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Telangana |
Cured in controlled heat; used in cigarettes |
| Non-FCV Tobacco |
Bidi Tobacco |
Gujarat, Maharashtra, Karnataka |
Used in bidi (traditional Indian cigarette) |
|
Chewing Tobacco |
Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal |
Consumed by chewing; includes zarda, khaini, etc. |
| Hookah Tobacco |
Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan |
Moist and flavored, used in hookahs |
| Snuff |
Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra |
Powdered form, inhaled through the nose |
| Burley Tobacco |
Andhra Pradesh |
Air-cured; used in cigarettes and blends |
| Oriental Tobacco |
Tamil Nadu |
Sun-cured; used in flavor-rich cigarette blends |
| HDBRG (Hunsur Dark Fire-Cured) |
Karnataka |
Fire-cured; used in chewing and snuff tobacco |
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.
24 Apr 2025
