TOBACCO PRESENTATION AS WAY OF CULTURAL RESEARCH

A SHORT PRESENTATION ABOUT TOBACCO IN THE PROVINCE OF ILOCOS SUR

1. TOBACCO

2. Tobacco farming is a historically and economically significant industry that has shaped the livelihoods, culture, and agricultural landscape of the Ilokano people. Ilocos ' tobacco farming is best understood as a product of colonial influence, economic dependence, and evolving agricultural challenges rather than merely a cultural tradition. INTRODUCTION

3. Tobacco Monopoly (1782-1881) & Republic Act 7171 The industry provides employment to thousands of Ilokano farmers, laborers, and traders. Tobacco farming is not merely an agricultural activity but a structured economic system that involves landowners, tenant farmers, and trading networks.

4. VARIANTS OF TOBACCO VIRGINIA Virginia tobacco is the most dominant tobacco type and consitutes 58% of the tobacco area, equivalent to 23.347 hectares, 52% of the total tobacco farmers or 32,352, and is commercially grown in the four Ilocos provinces of Abra, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur (60%) and La Union (17%). Gatud Tudok Maluto Bill

5. VARIANTS OF TOBACCO BURLEY L ight to dark brown in color. Air-cured in barns for up to two months, burley loses most of its natural sugars and develops a strong, almost cigar-like taste. Pukan Rissing ( Patuktok , Sarapa , Kawad ) Panangidayday (air-curing 40 days) Bill

6. VARIANTS OF TOBACCO NATIVE " Kastila " or "Castilla": This is a common term for native tobacco in some regions, possibly referring to its introduction during the Spanish colonial era. Pukan Rissing ( Patuktok , Kawad , Palaspas ) Panangidayday (sun-curing 40 days) Bill

7. Strengths (S) ✅ Government Support – Policies such as Republic Act 7171 provide funding and subsidies for tobacco-producing provinces. ✅ Established Market & Export Potential – tobacco is in demand both domestically and internationally, sustaining a strong trading system. ✅ Job Creation – The industry provides employment for farmers, seasonal workers, and local traders, supporting the rural economy. SWOT ANALYSIS

8. Weaknesses (W) ⚠️ Middlemen Control Pricing – Farmers often lack direct access to buyers, making them dependent on traders who dictate lower farm-gate prices. ⚠️ Labor-Intensive & Costly Production – The curing process, particularly flue-curing (firewood drying), requires significant labor and resources, increasing production costs. ⚠️ Health Risks – Farmers are exposed to green tobacco sickness (GTS) due to nicotine absorption through the skin, along with respiratory risks from smoke exposure during curing.

9. Opportunities (O) 🌱 Crop Diversification & Sustainable Farming – Introducing alternative crops (e.g., corn, vegetables) can reduce dependency on tobacco and improve soil health. 🌱 Technological Advancements – Improved curing methods (e.g., solar curing) and mechanization can lower production costs and make farming more sustainable. 🌱 Government & NGO Support – Programs promoting agripreneurship , cooperative farming, and export-oriented strategies can help Ilokano farmers earn more.

10. Threats (T) 🚨 Climate Change & Weather Risks – Erratic weather patterns, such as drought or typhoons, can severely affect crop yields. 🚨 Foreign Competition – Other tobacco-producing countries (e.g., China, Brazil, USA) have lower production costs, making Philippine-grown tobacco less competitive. 🚨 Policy & Taxation Changes – Higher taxes on cigarettes and stricter government regulations could reduce local demand and limit profitability.

11. Investigate the willingness of tobacco farmers to shift to other agricultural practices given financial support and training. Examine the dependence of rural communities on tobacco as their primary livelihood and its impact on income distribution. OBJECTIVES