Tobacco
Why it Matters?
The Tobacco Board under the Ministry of Commerce is mandated to regulate Flue Cured Virginia (FCV) tobacco production and marketing via e-auctions to ensure fair farmer prices. Though no scheme promotes tobacco cultivation, export revenues and farmer prices have significantly increased since 2020.
What You Should Know? Tobacco Board
Tobacco Board functions under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, not Agriculture.
The Tobacco Board was constituted as a statutory body on 1st January, 1976 under Section (4) of the Tobacco Board Act, 1975.
The Board is headed by a Chairman with its headquarters at Guntur, Andhra Pradesh
It regulates Flue Cured Virginia (FCV) tobacco crop size a season in advance and conducts e-auctions.
No Direct Value-Addition Linkage: The Board does not directly promote farm-to-factory value-addition linkages.
ICAR-NIRCA supports tobacco research and farmer training, conducts R&D on tobacco varieties, quality, pest management, and dissemination of Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs).
The Department of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare does not implement any scheme to promote tobacco or its cultivation.
Tobacco
India has 253 million tobacco users, the second highest globally and highest in WHO South-East Asia Region.
India is the 4th largest producer of FCV tobacco in the world after China, Brazil and Zimbabwe.
Tobacco was the 5th leading risk factor for death and disability in India.
Smokeless tobacco is the most prevalent form in India; commonly used products include Khaini, Gutkha, Betel quid with tobacco, zarda.