Diversification for Tobacco Growing Regions in the Southern European Union

<p>In the EU-15 about 69.510 tobacco holdings existed in 2000 with together 125.000 ha tobacco cultivation. 95% of these tobacco holdings are family farms. The main producers Greece, Italy and Spain represent 86% of the total EU tobacco production. The tobacco sector employs an important quantity of labour force, 212.960 persons, corresponding to 2,4 % of total persons employed in the EU agricultural sector. Family labour force is about 80 % of total labour force employed in the sector. Greece and Italy represent 81% of the total labour force employed in tobacco production. The first processing employment, where the familiy is often employed, counted in 1999 for additional 13.372 full time equivalent jobs.</p>
<p>The CAP reform for the tobacco sector has the aim to phase out the subside payment for tobacco cultivation. From 2006 to 2009 a decoupled payment is provided under the Single Farm Payment Scheme. This will have a great impact on the tobacco growers in terms of income and employment.</p>
<p>To obviate this impact the project aims to identify and characterise those sustainable alternatives which would provide employment and income for the tobacco farmers.</p>
<p>The main objectives of the DIVTOB bring together researchers, tobacco cooperatives and rural development agencies<br>
-To define the needs of the tobacco farmers<br>
-To identify and characterise sustainable alternatives for employment and income<br>
-To develop a list of opportunities, which were most suitable for every region concerned<br>
-To define further research needs<br>
-To develop an exploitation plan<br>
-To disseminate the results to the users and rural development agencies</p>
<p>The project will strongly support EU and member states in the implementation of action plans to diversify "difficult" tobacco growing areas.</p>