1: The Recent Move by The Tobacco Board

- Recently the Tobacco Board has sanctioned Karnataka to cultivate and produce 100 million kilograms of tobacco for the crop year 2024-2025.

- Approved growers are required to register online, starting from the 24th of March, 2024 for new applicants, and on the 27th of March, 2024 for the ones seeking re-registration or relocation.

2: About The Tobacco Board

- Established in 1976 under the First Five-Year Plan by the Government of India, the Tobacco Board operated under the Department of Commerce.

- The Board supervises, regulates, and promotes Indian tobacco production.

- Its responsibilities also include assisting Indian exports, conducting research and development, licensing growers and traders, and providing support and financial aid to farmers.

2: Role of Tobacco Board

- The Board also maintains the economic balance of tobacco cultivation and trade, with respect to public health, regulation, and the country's unique agricultural conditions.

3: Implementation Procedure

1: Registration Requirement and Limitations

- Tobacco growers are urged to register for the upcoming season launching on 27th March 2024. In addition, they must adhere to the authorised planting area and not exceed the prescribed borders.

- Compliance to these regulations are crucial for a lawful and plentiful harvest.

2: Diversification of Income

- Apart from tobacco, farmers are advised to cultivate other crops as well for income diversification purposes. This strategy can shield them from probable changes in the market and assure their long-term economic survival.

4: Tobacco Cultivation Process

- The process includes the selection of seeds, nurturing in nurseries, transplantation, growth phase, topping and suckering, harvesting, curing, grading and packing, and final processing for end use.

5: Cultivation Implication and Future Prospects

- Tobacco cultivation authorization in Karnataka plays a significant role in the state's economy and many farmers' livelihoods.

- There are concerns regarding health risks and environmental impacts which must be managed.

- Thus, the state faces the task of weighing economic rewards from tobacco production against public health risks and the sustainability of agricultural practices.

- Future policies might impose stricter regulations and possibly shift focus towards alternative, less hazardous agricultural products.