A farmer gathers leaves by stacking them carefully under his arms until it is enough to be brought to the piling area. Photo by: Edwin Bacasmas
Tobacco as the major cash crop of the Ilocos region has an undeniable impact on the agricultural, economic and social life of every Ilocano family, and has been a major force in the economic development of Ilocos especially in Region I where flue-cured or Virginia tobacco is grown.
Tobacco farming starts with tobacco seeds that are sown in specially-constructed seedbeds (not too close together) to give each seedling enough room to grow.
After two to three months after it was planted, the plants are ready for harvesting which are done by hand and prepared to be flue-cured.
The leaves are hung in curing barns, where heated air is generated to dry the leaves.
As the leaves lose moisture, they develop their distinct aroma, texture, and color.
This carefully guided process takes up to a week, during which time the temperature of the heated air is constantly monitored and gradually increased.
Too much or too little heat at any stage of the process will have a negative impact on the quality of the tobacco.
After curing, the tobacco farmer sorts them according to stalk position and quality, and packs them separately into bales and will be ready for sale. The concentration of tobacco production in Ilocos started in the 1950’s after an American tobacco firm found out that the soil and climate in the region were good for Virginia or flue-cured tobacco.
The Ilocanos then were more than willing to embrace tobacco production because the crops were grown during summer when most of their unirrigated land would lay idle after rice production. Ilocano’s born in the ’60s towards the ’80s in the farming communities knew how tobacco farming has helped most locals to raise a family and send their children to school, which most of them have become professionals, lawyers, doctors, teachers and writers. Some of them have money to send family members to work abroad as contract workers.
All hard work and success contributed to the improvement of the economic condition in their respective communities.
Tobacco farming remains a steady source of income for thousands of Filipino families, providing livelihood opportunities and supporting rural economies.
Currently, about 2.2 million Filipinos are financially dependent on tobacco including more than 430,000 farmers, farm workers, and their family members. The Philippine tobacco industry continues to dominate the agricultural, economic, social, and political aspects of the country.
Among the non-food crops in the agriculture sector, tobacco has been grown commercially, steadily contributing to the economy and the government’s efforts towards economic growth and recovery.
