The Executive Secretary of the African Tobacco Control Alliance (ATCA), Leonce Dieudonne SESSOU, has called on African governments to prioritize sustainable agriculture instead of tobacco cultivation.
SESSOU made the CD all on World No Tobacco Day, emphasizing the importance of collaboration with civil society and international organizations to offer better opportunities for tobacco farmers while addressing food security challenges across the continent.
He urged African governments to follow Article 17 of the World Health Organization’s (WHO) Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC), which focuses on promoting economically viable alternatives for tobacco workers, growers, and sellers.
He encourages them to learn from successful initiatives and implement similar strategies to support their own farmers.
“The prevalence of tobacco farming has been increasing in Africa since 2005, with tobacco companies establishing a stronger presence on the continent. However, we cannot overlook the adverse impacts of tobacco cultivation on farmers, the economy, and the environment. Tobacco companies often provide loans to resource-limited farmers, leading to a cycle of debt that perpetuates poverty among them.” He said.
Nevertheless, SESSOU highlights positive examples that indicate a viable path forward. “The Tobacco-Free Farms initiative, supported by the WHO, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), and the World Food Programme (WFP), is effectively assisting over 5,000 farmers in Kenya and Zambia in transitioning from tobacco to sustainable food crops. Particularly in Kenya’s Migori County, more than 2,000 farmers have successfully shifted to cultivating high-iron beans over the past three growing seasons.”
This transition has yielded promising results. Farmers engaged in sustainable agriculture report higher incomes from selling their produce to the WFP, along with improvements in their overall health.
The shift away from tobacco cultivation has also contributed to increased school attendance among children previously involved in tobacco farming. From an environmental perspective, sustainable crop cultivation has shown positive impacts, fostering a healthier ecosystem compared to tobacco production.
The success of the Tobacco-Free Farms initiative highlights the potential of collaborative efforts at the global, regional, and national levels to provide alternative livelihoods for tobacco farmers, as outlined in the WHO FCTC. Given Africa’s urgent food security challenges, governments are encouraged to draw inspiration from these initiatives and take proactive steps.
SESSOU further emphasizes the imperative for African governments to prioritize sustainable agriculture over tobacco cultivation, promoting economic stability, public health, and environmental sustainability.
“By shifting the focus towards sustainable agriculture, Africa can address its food security challenges while ensuring the well-being of its communities. African governments, in partnership with civil society organizations and international bodies, play a crucial role in supporting farmers during the transition away from tobacco farming. It is essential to provide farmers with the necessary resources, knowledge, and training to cultivate alternative crops that can contribute to food security and improve livelihoods.”