India is the world's 3rd largest producer of tobacco next to China and USA. Endowed with rich agro climatic attributes like fertile soils, plentiful rainfall and ample sunshine, India produces various types of tobacco to meet the needs of discerning customers.

• Currently, Indian tobacco is exported to more than 80 countries spread over in all continents.
• Top Multinational cigarette companies like BAT, philip morris, RJ Reynolds, Rothmans, SEITA, Imperials, Reemtsma etc. and many government monopoly companies all over the world are importing Indian Tobacco either directly or indirectly.
• Tobacco sector provides about 26 million jobs in agricultural operations including cultivation, nurseries, curing, processing, manufacturing and distribution of tobacco products etc. in rural and urban areas.
• Tobacco, as a single commodity is the fourth leading revenue earner for the Union Government contributing about 10% of total Excise collection and nearly 5% of agri-exports from India, corresponding to Rs.5000 crores and 1060 crores respectively.
• India stands in third position in the world as far as production of all tobacco varieties, constituting about 8% of total global production whereas it stands fifth in FCV tobacco production in the world contributing about 3.3% only.
• India contributes about 4% of global all tobacco exports and thus stand fifth in the world, whereas we stand 4th, contributing about 6% of total global exports, as regards to FCV tobacco.

• The origin and history of Tobacco suffers from ambiguity and contradictions.
• According to one source tobacco was in existence in ASIA even during the 12^th century when it was not known elsewhere.
• It was not only used as an intoxicant, but also as a cure for all kinds of its and paying homage to deities.
• Christopher Columbus discovered the narcotic qualities of tobacco by an accident in the course of his American voyage in 1942.
• According to another version Red Indians used tobacco for both medicinal and ceremonial purposes.
• They used to inhale its smoke from burning leaf through the nostrils by means of hallow forked cane and the name of the instrument was given to the plant which came to known as Tobacco in English.
• The plant was first introduced into Europe in 1560 by a pish physician sent to Mexico.
• About this time Jean Nicot, the French ambassador to Portugal come to know of the tobacco in Lisbon and introduced it to the French court.
• The botanical name of Nicotiana and the ward nicotine have been derived from this name.
• The habit of smoking spread in several countries during the 17^th century.
• Tobacco is said to have been introduced into India in the beginning of 17^th century. As elsewhere in the world, it has thrived inspite of considerable neglect and social disapproval.

• The area under tobacco in the world is 4,291,014 ha with a production of 7,490,661 m.tonnes and productivity of 1745 kg/ha.
• The major tobacco growing countries in the world are China, USA, India, Brazil, Turkey, Russia, Italy and Zimbabwe.

Countrywise Area, Production and Productivity of Tobacco during 2012

Country	Area in Ha	Production in Mt	Yield in Kg/Ha
World	4291014	7490661	1745
Argentina	77000	148000	1922
Brazil	410225	810550	1975
Bulgaria	18151	28060	1545
China	1480710	3201850	2162
Greece	15700	24000	1528
India	495000	875000	1767
Indonesia	249800	226700	907
Malawi	160000	151500	946
Pakistan	46000	98000	2130
Thailand	32000	69000	2156
Turkey	108000	75000	694
USA	136068	345837	2541
Zimbabwe	93000	115000	1236

Source: FAOstat Citation

• India produces 7-8% of world's tobacco, while China alone accounts for nearly 40%.
• Tobacco is an important foreign exchange earner grown over 4.3 lakh ha (9.6% of world area) in the country. Composite Andhra Pradesh cultivates both VFC and Natu tobacco varieties in 1.3lakh ha contributing to 43% of country's area ranking 1^st among the states.

Area, Production and Yield of Tobacco in India (2012-13)

State	Area in M.Ha.	Production in Million Tonnes	Productivity (kg/ha)
Composite Andhra Pradesh	134.00	268.00	2000
Assam	0.28	0.15	536
Bihar	10.91	20.63	1891
Gujarat	124.00	212.00	1710
Karnataka	106.00	67.00	632
Kerala	0.01	0.02	2000
Madhya Pradesh	0.17	0.07	429
Maharashtra	1.00	1.00	1000
Meghalaya	0.62	0.42	681
Mizoram	0.70	0.50	714
Orissa	2.03	1.15	567
Rajasthan	0.35	0.61	1743
Tamilnadu	4.18	6.39	1529
Uttar Pradesh	23.79	51.05	2146
West Bengal	18.00	28.00	1556
All India	426.04	656.99	1542

Source : DACP

Districtwise Area, Production & Productivity of Tobacco in Andhra Pradesh during 2012-13

District	Area in Ha	Production in Tonnes	Yield in Kg/Ha
Mahaboobnagar	2047	3875	1893
Medak	19	36	1872
Nizamabad	212	1038	4897
Karimnagar	51	250	4897
Warangal	194	843	4897
Khammam	1966	6542	3328
Nalgonda	85	416	4897

Source: Season and Crop Report, AP Govt (Erstwhile)