Question : Support to Tobacco Cultivators

(a) the details of institutional monetary and regulatory support given by the Government for tobacco growers;

(b) the response of tobacco growing States to Crop Diversification Programme (CDP) implemented under Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY) and the amount allocated to States for its implementation;

(c) whether the Government has put in place any schemes or framework to facilitate Flue Cured Virginia (FCV) tobacco farmers to give up tobacco farming and demolish their barns, if so, the details thereof;

(d) the details of any change in the land use pattern for tobacco cultivation over the last five years in different tobacco growing States;

(e) whether the Government has taken any initiative to promote alternative uses of tobacco, if so, the details thereof; and

(f) whether there is any data on the number of farmers/women and children involved in tobacco farming in India, if so, the details thereof?

MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE

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(a): The Tobacco Board, Ministry of Commerce and Industry set up under Tobacco Board Act, 1975 is regulating the production and curing of Flue Cured Virginia (FCV) tobacco as per the demand for tobacco in India and abroad, marketability of different types of FCV tobacco and other factors so as to ensure fair and remunerative prices to growers. Tobacco Board is also extending support to FCV tobacco farmers under various extension and developmental schemes implemented by it to improve yield and quality of FCV tobacco. Tobacco Board also conducts e-auctions for sale of FCV tobacco on the designated auction platforms of Tobacco Board.
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(b) & (c): The Department of Agriculture, Cooperation and Farmers Welfare (DAC&FW) is implementing Crop Diversification Programme (CDP), an ongoing sub-scheme of Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY) to encourage tobacco growing farmers to shift to alternative crops/cropping system w.e.f. 2015-16. Tobacco growing states namely Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Gujarat, Karnataka, Odisha, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal implemented the programme. However, Department of Agriculture, State Government of Maharashtra has not implemented the scheme due to negligible area under tobacco in the state. An amount of Rs. 667.00 lakh as Central Share has been allocated to implementing states during 2019-20 for implementation of the programme on 60:40 sharing basis between Government of India and State Governments.

As a policy, Tobacco Board under Ministry of Commerce and Industry is not granting registration to new growers and not issuing any licenses for construction of new barns creating additional curing infrastructure and not expanding FCV tobacco cultivation to new areas and thereby restricting horizontal expansion of tobacco.

(d): The tobacco area in the country has reduced from 4.67 lakh hectares (during 2014-15) to 3.96 lakh hectares (during 2017-18). State-wise details of area under tobacco cultivation is at Annexure.

(e): Under CDP, tobacco growing states have been given flexibility to take suitable activities / interventions to shift from tobacco crops to alternative agricultural/horticultural crops. For motivating the farmers, states may also organize study tours / exposure visits and campaigns etc. for highlighting harmful effects of tobacco and long term benefits of alternative crops. Government of India also provide flexibility to the states for state specific needs/priorities under RKVY.

(f): DAC&FW is not implementing any scheme for promotion of tobacco cultivation. Data on the number of farmers / women and children involved in tobacco farming in India are not maintained at DAC&FW level.
However, Tobacco Board under Ministry of Commerce and Industry has reported that 87,119 FCV tobacco growers registered during 2018-19 in Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Telangana and Odisha states. Among these, there are 20223 women FCV tobacco growers. Tobacco Board is ensuring that registered tobacco farmers does not use child labour in FCV tobacco cultivation.