Andhra Pradesh is the largest tobacco producing state in India. It accounts for around 40 percent of India’s total tobacco production. The state is home to over 690,000 hectares of land under tobacco cultivation, with more than 10 million people dependent on this crop for their livelihood.
The area and productivity of tobacco in Andhra Pradesh have increased significantly over the years due to various initiatives taken by the state government. Moreover, with its favorable climate and soil conditions, Andhra Pradesh is able to produce some of the best quality tobacco in India. Other leading tobacco producing states in India include Karnataka, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu. Together these states account for over 80 percent of India’s total tobacco production.
Apart from agricultural activities, Andhra Pradesh is also renowned for the manufacture of beedi (traditional handrolled cigarettes which are made with tobacco and other ingredients). In fact, the state accounts for nearly one-third of India’s total beedi output. Furthermore, Andhra Pradesh is home to a number of tobacco processing plants, where various types of processed tobacco are produced. These include snuff, chewing tobacco and cigarettes. The state is also home to one of the largest cigarette manufacturing factories in India.
Is the largest producer of tobacco in India?
Yes, Andhra Pradesh is the largest producer of tobacco in India. It accounts for more than 25% of India’s total tobacco production. The state has around 125000 hectares devoted to tobacco cultivation and produces nearly 175-200 thousand metric tonnes of leaf annually. Tobacco farming employs almost 5 lakh people directly or indirectly in the State and generates a significant amount of revenue. Tobacco cultivation is mainly concentrated in West Godavari and East Godavari districts.
Other major tobacco producing states are Karnataka, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh and Telangana. In the last few years, Andhra Pradesh has taken several steps to promote the tobacco industry in the state. It has established an “Integrated Tobacco Development Board” and has also initiated several schemes such as the “Tobacco Zero Damage Scheme”, the “Agricultural Technology Management Agency” and the “Livelihood Mission”. These have helped in increasing the productivity of tobacco farmers, improving the quality of their produce and providing better wages. In addition to this, Andhra Pradesh is also the hub of several research and development activities related to tobacco farming in India.
The Central Tobacco Research Institute (CTRI) is located here, which is engaged in studying, developing and testing technologies for improving the overall quality of Indian tobacco products. Thus, Andhra Pradesh plays an important role in sustaining India’s position as a major producer of tobacco in the world.
Which country is the largest producer of tobacco in the world?
China is the world’s largest producer of tobacco, with an estimated annual production of over 2.2 million metric tons in 2019. This accounts for approximately 44% of the total global production. China has been the world’s leading producer and consumer of tobacco products since 2002, when it overtook Brazil as the world’s top producer. In addition to its large production of tobacco, China is also a major exporter of cigarettes and other tobacco products. It is estimated that the Chinese tobacco industry contributes around 5% to the country’s GDP.
In addition to China, India is another major producer of tobacco in the world, producing an estimated 1 million metric tons of tobacco in 2019. India is the second-largest producer and consumer of tobacco products, behind China. Other major producers include Brazil, Indonesia, the United States, and Malawi. Collectively, these countries account for around 86% of global production.
