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Key Points

The Indian government has simplified regulations for tobacco farmers by extending registration validity to three years. This move will benefit over 83,500 growers managing 91,000 barns across four states. The amendment to the 1976 Tobacco Board Rules takes effect from the 2025-26 season. India remains the world's second-largest tobacco producer, contributing significantly to export revenues.

Key Points: India Extends Tobacco Farmer Registrations to 3 Years for Ease of Business

  • Three-year validity replaces annual renewals for tobacco growers
  • Covers 91,000 barns across 4 major tobacco states
  • Amendment effective from 2025-26 crop season
  • India ranks as world's 2nd largest tobacco producer
2 min read

In relief to tobacco farmers, Government notifies three-year validity for grower registrations and barn licenses

Govt eases rules for Virginia tobacco farmers by extending registrations & barn licenses to 3 years, benefiting 83,500 growers across 4 states.

"This amendment will greatly help farmers in renewing registrations/licenses across Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Telangana and Odisha - Commerce Ministry"

New Delhi, April 22

The Centre has decided to renew the Certificate of Registration as a Virginia tobacco grower and the License for operation of a barn for three years instead of one year, as part of ease of doing business, in order to reduce the burden of mandatory yearly renewal.

These registrations or licenses will now be valid for 3 years instead of the existing practice of renewing every year, an official release said.

"To facilitate the growers to renew this registration / licenses once in 3 years, the Government of India has amended the sub-rule(5), (6) and (7) of rule 33 and sub-rule (2) and (3) of rule 34N, of Tobacco Board Rules, 1976," the release said.

The amendment to the Tobacco Board Rules, 1976 was published in the Gazette of India by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry. It will be effective from 2025-26 crop season in Andhra Pradesh.

"This amendment of increasing the periodicity from one to three years will be greatly helpful to around 83,500 farmers covering around 91,000 barns in renewing their registrations/licenses across Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Telangana and Odisha states," the release said.

Virginia tobacco is being regulated in India by an Act of Parliament i.e., Tobacco Board Act, 1975 and the rules notified there under. As per the Tobacco Board Act, 1975 and relevant rules, every grower intending to take up cultivation of Virginia tobacco has to obtain certificate of registration as a grower and a license for operation of a barn. Accordingly, the Tobacco Board is facilitating the registration / licensing on an annual basis.

India is second largest producer and fourth largest exporter of unmanufactured tobacco in the World (in value terms during 2023) and generating to the Indian exchequer.

During 2024-25, tobacco exports contributed Rs 16,728 crore to the Indian exchequer.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

R
Rajesh K.
This is a great move by the government! My uncle is a tobacco farmer in Andhra and the yearly renewal process was such a hassle. Three-year validity will save so much time and paperwork. 👏
P
Priya M.
While I understand this helps farmers, shouldn't we be focusing more on reducing tobacco production given the health concerns? Maybe gradual transition programs to alternative crops would be better.
S
Suresh B.
As someone from Karnataka's tobacco belt, this is very welcome news. The annual renewals were a nightmare - standing in queues for hours. Now we can focus more on farming!
A
Ananya T.
Interesting to see tobacco still contributes so much to exports (₹16k+ crores!). The 3-year license makes sense from business perspective, but hope there's also investment in farmer welfare programs.
V
Vikram R.
Good administrative reform, but implementation will be key. Hope the online systems are upgraded to handle the 3-year cycle properly. Last time I renewed, the portal crashed twice!
M
Meena S.
My father has been growing tobacco for 30 years. Small reforms like this make a big difference to farmers' lives. Thank you for listening to the agricultural community!

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