India's Crop Reduction Will Focus on Non-Export Types

Source from:  Tobacco Reporter 08/18/2011

India is planning to cut its leaf tobacco plantings from 450,000 ha to 200,000 ha by the end of 2017, according to a Pioneer story quoting a senior government official. The reduction will particularly affect non-exportable varieties. In line with the country's obligations under the World Health Organization's Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, the government will encourage tobacco growers to switch to other economically viable crops. And it will promote tobacco cultivation for alternative uses, such as the production of useful phytochemicals. At the same time, the official said that the Central Tobacco Research Institute had developed Vision 2030, which aims to address major issues affecting crop productivity and leaf quality. Enditem