Transforming Tobacco Farming In Sri Lanka

Series: Agriculture Research Serie

Tobacco cultivation was first introduced to Sri Lanka by the Portuguese in the 16th century. Since then, significant efforts have been made to increase tobacco cultivation in the country. However, the stimulus policy interventions granted to tobacco cultivation dropped substantially since the 1990s with the global drive against tobacco. This study analyses the potential for transforming tobacco farming through alternative cropping strategies in Sri Lanka. It describes the tobacco value chain in Sri Lanka and assesses the farm-level economies of tobacco cultivation and the factors determining the initiation and continuation of tobacco cultivation.