Tobacco Asia

56 tobaccoasia LEAF NEWS 烟叶新闻 stress. Non-virginia tobacco, which makes up most of India's tobacco output, is mainly used in bidis, chewing tobacco, and gutka and is sold directly by farmers without regulatory oversight. Unlike FCV tobacco, these varieties lack production caps and structured sales systems, exposing growers to price volatility. Babu added, "We are not seeking subsidies; we are seeking systems. Every tobacco farmer, whether FCV or non-FCV, deserves a transparent market and a stable income. So we request the government of India to evolve a National Tobacco Crop Regulatory Framework that brings all tobacco varieties under a single umbrella for planning, production, and pricing—ensuring one policy, one platform, one protection." Participants also raised concerns about multinational companies shifting toward newer products like e-cigarettes and nicotine pouches, which depend less on leaf tobacco. They warned that this transition reduces demand for traditional tobacco, threatening rural employment and millions of livelihoods. Tobacco Board chairman Ch. Yashwant Kumar an- nounced a pilot initiative to regulate non-FCV tobacco and proposed a policy roadmap for its inclusion under a formal system. "Our FCV auction model is a global benchmark in transparency," he said. "The time has come to design a non-FCV regulation model that ensures fair prices, planned production, and farmer dignity." Philippines NTA Set to Finalize New Tobacco Floor Prices The Philippines' tobacco regulatory agency is expected to finalize a new floor price for tobacco effective next season, following the conclusion of the National Tobacco Administra- tion's (NTA) two-day tripartite conference with farmers, traders, and cigarette manufacturers, according to PhilStar. The 2025 Tripartite Consultative Conference served as the primary venue for setting the minimum buying prices of virginia, burley, and native tobacco. NTA said the updated prices aim to secure fair compensation for more than 50,000 tobacco growers across the country. NTA administrator and c.e.o. Belinda Sanchez said the consultative process helps ensure that farmers' welfare is safeguarded and that group consultations and deliberations lead to a well-founded recommendation for a reasonable increase in the floor prices of tobacco. The National Federation of Tobacco Farmers Associa- tion and Cooperatives (NAFTAC) president Bernard Vicente had earlier proposed increases ranging from PHP16.96- PHP87.15 (US$0.29–US$1.50) per kilo across various grades to offset higher input and labor costs. Vicente also asked for a separate floor price for improved subtypes of virginia and burley tobacco, citing their higher quality and production costs compared with traditional types. The final adjustments are expected to reflect rising production costs while keeping tobacco cultivation profitable for growers. The NTA said tobacco remains the only crop in the Philippines with officially approved floor prices, making it a dependable source of income for tens of thousands of Filipino farming families. NC Lawmaker Urges Federal Aid for Tobacco Farmers An eastern North Carolina lawmaker is urging the federal government to step in and support the state's flue-cured tobacco farmers, who are facing severe financial strain following the sudden halt of exports to China. In a letter sent in early October to US trade representa- tive Jamieson Greer and agriculture secretary Brooke Rollins, representative Don Davis called for immediate coordination between their offices to protect growers and provide relief for mounting losses, according to PRE. "Flue-cured tobacco is a cornerstone of eastern North Carolina's economy," Davis said. "When trade disruptions occur, tobacco growers should not be left experiencing the greatest harm." China has long been the largest buyer of US flue-cured tobacco, importing 60–65 million pounds annually. The recent withdrawal of Chinese buyers has left nearly 60 million pounds of unsold tobacco, representing more than US$220 million in export value. Tanzania Enforces Tobacco Farmer Registration The Tanzanian government has warned that all stakeholders in the tobacco sector who fail to participate in the ongoing registration of tobacco farmers will be banned from working with growers, including cooperative unions and associations nationwide. Agriculture minister Hussein Bashe issued the warning in Tabora during a working session focused on strengthening agricultural insurance services and protecting farmers from production risks. Bashe stressed that joining the registration exercise is mandatory, describing it as part of the government's broader plan to formalize the tobacco subsector and promote struc- tured commercial farming. "The government will not allow any stakeholder who has not registered farmers to continue operating. Every farmer must be registered and must have crop insurance. This is key to building a sustainable and productive tobacco industry," he said. He emphasized that crop insurance is now a necessity, not an option, since it helps protect farmers from losses caused by drought, pests, diseases, and other natural disasters. Bashe said the government aims to ensure every farmer in Tanzania has access to insurance coverage to strengthen agribusiness and reduce producers' vulnerability to climate shocks. He also directed the establishment of a cooperative insurance scheme to be managed by the Cooperative Bank. The initiative will protect farmers throughout the entire production cycle—from land preparation to harvest. "The cooperative insurance framework will guarantee farmers' security at every stage of production, ensuring they remain resilient even when faced with unforeseen circumstanc- es," he said. Tabora regional commissioner Paul Chacha praised the minister's efforts to protect farmers' interests and called for a comprehensive review of the current tobacco insurance system. He pointed out that the existing framework has several weaknesses that disadvantage farmers and urged the government to adopt a national strategy to ensure growers receive adequate protection before and after disasters. Chacha said such a strategy would complement the government's ongoing work to make agriculture a stable source of income and economic growth for rural communities.

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