IMPACT OF FCV TOBACCO CROP SIZE REDUCTION IN ANDHRA PRADESH: ADOPTION OF ALTERNATIVE CROPS

Abstract

During the recent years, the FCV tobacco in India underwent a structural change following the implementation of policy on crop size reduction of FCV tobacco by the Government of India. An assessment of the impact of the policy on tobacco area and adoption of alternative crops assumes great significance. The present study probes into the effect of the policy and its implications for the shift in the area to other alternative crops in Andhra Pradesh. The most significant observation is that crop substitution has taken place in major tobaccogrowing districts in recent years with significant acreage. The substitution of tobacco area with other crops was clearly indicated in Andhra Pradesh. In the order of preference, pulses, chilli and cowpea are mostly preferred in Prakasam district, pulses, and chilli in Nellore district and maize and green gram were emerged as potential alternative crops to tobacco in West Godavari district. Nevertheless, the shift has demonstrated to the farmers and policy makers that there are alternatives for tobacco and crop replacement from tobacco is amidst possible. This policy has made significant impact on adoption of alternative crops with farmers’ knowledge and experience and without looking into the formidable barriers such as economic feasibility and institutional support, processing and marketing infrastructure etc. Therefore, it is evident that the policy-driven approach is one of the potential instruments to foster transition from tobacco to other sustainable alternative crops in Andhra Pradesh during recent years.