The Economics of Tobacco Farming in Indonesia

This Fact Sheet was written by researchers from Tobacconomics, University of Gadjah Mada, Australian National University, McGill University and the American Cancer Society. The fact sheet examines the economics of smallholder (<5 hectares) tobacco farming in Indonesia. The results from the research challenge the claim by the tobacco industry that tobacco farming is lucrative. In reality, tobacco farmers often lose money in the tobacco season because costs are so high and prices for their crop typically low. The research demonstrates that tobacco farming is a negative predictor of income. It also finds that these farmers are typically growing other crops and were they simply to shift completely to them, their household resources are very likely to increase. Finally, the research explores and recommends some market-oriented solutions that the government can undertake to address this issue including investing in rural credit programs, supply and value chain enhancement for non-tobacco crops, and agricultural education, among other interventions.

[BAHASA]

The corresponding Report can be found here.

Read the blog based on the study in English and Bahasa.