Tobacco Farming in Kenya: A Complete Guide in 2025
Introduction to Tobacco Farming in Kenya
Tobacco farming in Kenya has been an important part of Kenya’s economy for years. Areas such as Migori, Homa Bay, Bungoma, and Meru are dependent on it. As a cash crop, tobacco provided a source of income to many smallholder farmers—the negative aspects such as health and environmental issues and financial poverty.
There is a shift in perception about tobacco farming in Kenya in 2025. There is an increased understanding of its consequences. There is more work done to assist the farmers in transitioning to other crops. Nonetheless, studies show that this activity is not significantly beneficial to the economy of Kenya. A lot of farmers continue to struggle with making a living wage. In addition, cancer-causing risk factors from unhealthy tobacco leaves and pesticides are very alarming.
This guide will explore:
- Changes in the methods of tobacco farming in Kenya from the 1900s to 2020.
- The real impact on smallholder farmers and the broader impacts on the economy.
- The chronic illnesses linked to farmers of tobacco leaves.
- The impact on the environment, includes loss of forests and erosion.
- A focus on Migori County, the leading region of tobacco cultivation in Kenya.
- Other crops and sources of income suitable for farmers willing to make the change.
- Strategies and initiatives by the government created to ease the transition over.
Historical Background of Tobacco Farming in Kenya
Table 1: Historical Timeline of Tobacco Farming in Kenya
| Year(s) | Event | Impact |
|---|---|---|
| 1935 | Introduction of tobacco farming to Nyanza Province by settlers. | Initiated local cigarette production. |
| 1954 | Swynnerton Plan implemented. | Promoted better farming practices. |
| 1956 | Cigarette factory opened in Nairobi. | Production remained low initially. |
| Late 1960s-1980s | BAT’s expansion through contract farming. | Significantly expanded Kenya’s tobacco industry; promoted tobacco as a profitable cash crop; led to the dominance of contract farming. |
| 1975 | Kuria District becomes a major tobacco producer. | One in three homesteads growing tobacco; substantial deforestation due to tree use for curing. |
| Early 1980s | Tobacco boom in Kuria. | Short-term economic gains but long-term sustainability and agricultural diversity challenges. |
| 2010-2019 | Decline in tobacco acreage. | 16% drop in acreage, indicating changing trends in tobacco farming. |
Tobacco farming in Kenya has a rich history. It started in 1935. Settlers brought the crop to Nyanza Province to help local cigarette production. This overview looks at its development and the impact of major tobacco companies.
Early Years (1935-1960s): Introduction and Initial Growth
- Tobacco was first introduced to Kenya in 1935 for cigarette production.
- Large-scale production started in the late 1960s.
- The Swynnerton Plan of 1954 promoted better farming practices.
- A cigarette factory opened in Nairobi by 1956, but production remained low.
Expansion Era and BAT’s Influence (Late 1960s-1980s)
Contract Farming System
- British American Tobacco (BAT) greatly expanded Kenya’s tobacco industry with contract farming.
- This system involved smallholder farmers under company-controlled agreements.
- BAT promoted tobacco as a profitable cash crop.
Strategic Development
- The company provided incentives like free ploughing, farming inputs, and financial advances.
- After failed attempts in other areas due to bad weather, BAT found Kuria District ideal for tobacco.
- By 1975, Kuria became a major producer, with one in three homesteads growing tobacco.
Environmental Impact
- BAT encouraged using local trees for curing tobacco.
- This led to significant deforestation—over 180,000 trees were cut down yearly in Bukuria alone.
Economic and Environmental Challenges
- The early 1980s saw a tobacco boom in Kuria, bringing short-term economic gains.
- Long-term challenges arose in sustainability and agricultural diversity.
- Tobacco production has steadily declined, with a 16% drop in acreage from 2010 to 2019.
Current Status
- Tobacco is mainly grown in three areas:
- South Nyanza (Migori and Homa Bay counties)
- Western Kenya (Bungoma and Busia counties)
- Eastern regions (Meru, Embu, and Kirinyaga counties)
- Despite its historical importance, tobacco now makes up only:
- 0.6% of Kenya’s total agricultural gross marketed production.
- 0.03% of the country’s GDP.
Economic Impact of Tobacco Farming in Kenya
1. Contribution to Jobs and the Economy
Tobacco farming is vital to the economy in areas like Migori, Bungoma, Kuria, and Meru. Many small-scale farmers rely on it for their income. It supports Kenya’s economy in several ways:
- Job Creation: More than 100,000 farmers are engaged in tobacco farming. Thousands more work in processing, transport, and retail.
- Export Earnings: Kenya exports tobacco, generating foreign exchange.
- Government Revenue: Taxes from tobacco, like excise duty, VAT, and corporate tax, boost national income.
2. Farmers’ Income and Financial Struggles
Tobacco farming offers a steady income for many farmers. However, they often struggle financially because of:
- Low Prices: Farmers might earn less due to low tobacco buying prices.
- High Costs: Growing tobacco needs costly fertilizers, pesticides, and firewood for curing.
- Many farmers have contracts with big companies. This can cause debt after they pay input costs.
3. Supply Chain and Industry Growth
The tobacco industry has a broad supply chain, which includes:
- Leaf Production: Small farmers grow and sell raw tobacco leaves.
- Companies such as British American Tobacco (BAT) and Mastermind Tobacco Kenya process and package tobacco.
- Distribution and Retail: Transport firms, warehouses, and shops help sell tobacco products.
4. Environmental and Health Costs
While tobacco farming is economically beneficial, it does have serious drawbacks. These include:
- The cutting down of trees for tobacco curing results in soil loss.
- The emission of fertilizers and pesticides through production damages the surroundings and contaminates water resources.
- Medical conditions that are tobacco-related put a strain on Kenya’s health system and have expensive treatment costs.
5. Changing Trends and Alternative Crops
The Kenyan tobacco market is counteracting global trends of anti-smoking advertisements and increased cigarette taxation. The government alongside the WHO is www encouraging farmers to cultivate other crops like:
- Bamboo – for furniture and construction.
- Stevia – as a natural sweetener.
- Avocado – for as a rapidly expanding and highly profitable cash crop.
Farmers who have transitioned to these crops claim that they are doing much better financially and healthwise.
6. Government Policies and Regulations
Some of the smoking laws that the Kenyan government has implemented to boost the health of its citizens include:
- Tobacco Control Act – deals with advertisement, packaging, and public smoking.
- Increased Excise Duty on Tobacco – makes cigarette purchasing costly, hence decreasing its consumption.
Health Implications for Farmers
1. Green Tobacco Sickness (GTS)
- A condition caused by absorbing nicotine derived from the skin while touching damp tobacco leaves.
- Weak muscle, headaches, vomiting, stomach cramps, dizziness, trouble in breathing, and nausea. Changes in blood pressure, sweating, excessive salivation, and shivering are also possibilities. Many have chills and suffer from diarrhea.
- Children working in the tobacco fields are at a heightened risk of succumbing to this condition as their bodies are smaller and much more delicate.
2. Exposure to Chemicals
- Farmers apply heavy pesticides on tobacco. They expose themselves to dangerous chemicals. This can result in breathing problems, as well as damages to nerves and mental health.
- Overtime usage of pesticides can cause birth defects, blood disorders, cancer and diseases of the brain. In Kenya, approximately 26% of farmworkers in the tobacco crops show signs of suffering from pesticide poisoning.
3. Breathing Problems
Farmers can develop asthma, chronic coughs, and lung infections from inhaling dust and mould during tobacco curing. Many farmers wear gloves or masks, but this can still raise their risk of respiratory diseases.
4. Risk of Serious Diseases
Long-term use of nicotine and harmful chemicals raises the risk of bone cancer, hypertension, and heart disease.
5. Mental Health Issues
Research suggests that moderate exposure to certain pesticides over time can lead to depression, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts in farmworkers.
Environmental Consequences of Tobacco Farming
1. Deforestation
The process of curing tobacco requires excessive firewood, leading to deforestation in places like Migori and Kuria. This has further effects on the environment such as:
- Reduction of Carbon Dioxide Absorption: The loss of trees reduces the ability to absorb carbon dioxide, negatively impacting climate change.
- Topsoil Erosion: And without the trees, the topsoil’s ability to retain water will diminish, leading to loss of fertility of the soil.
- Decline in Biodiversity: Habitat loss and wildlife will occur as ecosystems will be greatly impacted by deforestation.
2. Soil Degradation
Considerable depletion of soil nutrients occurs through tobacco farming, which in turn makes the land less productive. This is due to:
- Monocropping: Exhausting crops like tobacco grow in place of crops to restore soil nutrition.
- Chemical-based Agriculture: Soils are treated with fertilizers, pesticides, and herbicides which are damaging to soil health and helpful organisms.
- Topsoil Erosion: Growing crops indiscriminately without care for preservation of vegetation can cause the land to become desert like.
3. Water Pollution
Water is contaminated as a byproduct of farming tobacco because of:
- Pesticide Runoff: Contaminated soil runoff into rivers and groundwater leads to disruption of even aquatic biodiversity.
- Soil Erosion: Silting of water bodies due to increased water levels reduces the quality of water.
- Excessive Water Demand: Deforestation in regions where crops to grow are cultivated increases the dependency on water supply and harms local communities.
4. Air Pollution
The curing process of tobacco releases pollutants into the air. Key concerns include:
- Carbon Emissions: Burning firewood for curing releases carbon dioxide. This worsens climate change.
- Toxic Chemical Release: Tobacco smoke and processing emit harmful gases. These affect local air quality.
5. Health Hazards for Farmers
Tobacco farmers face health risks from harmful chemicals, such as:
- Green Tobacco Sickness: Caused by nicotine absorption through the skin when handling wet leaves.
- Pesticide Exposure: Increases risks of respiratory diseases, skin problems, and other health issues.
Case Study: Migori County
Migori County, in southwestern Kenya, has been a significant area for tobacco farming. This industry supports many families but also brings serious challenges. These challenges include environmental damage, health risks, and financial struggles.
Challenges Faced by Farmers
1. Environmental Damage
About 7,000 hectares of forest land have been lost to tobacco farming and curing since the 1960s. This has resulted in:
- Tree loss: High population density but only 0.3% of GDP from high value crop production.
- Soil Erosion: Rain washes away soils when trees are absent, reducing fertility.
- Water Shortages: Seasonal drying up of rivers that once ran year round. Many are also contaminated with agricultural chemicals.
2. Health Risks
Tobacco farmers often face health issues due to exposure to nicotine and chemicals. Common problems include:
- Green Tobacco Sickness (GTS): Nicotine penetrates through skin, making people dizzy, nauseous, and weak.
- Respiratory Issues: Smoke from curing tobacco and pesticide applications causesdifficulty breathing and long-term health issues.
3. Financial Struggles
Despite their hard work, many farmers find it hard to make a profit. Challenges include:
- High Costs: Farmers spend a lot on fertilizers, pesticides, and firewood for curing.
- Low Prices: Buyers of tobacco often pay low prices, so it is difficult for farmers to make a living.
Transition to Alternative Livelihoods
In Kenya, many farmers are moving away from tobacco farming to grow healthier and more profitable crops. A key initiative supporting this shift is the Tobacco-Free Farms project.
Tobacco-Free Farms Project
Launched in 2022, the Tobacco-Free Farms project is a partnership between:
- World Health Organization (WHO)
- World Food Programme (WFP)
- Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)
- Kenyan government
The project began in Migori County and has spread to other areas. It aids farmers in switching from tobacco to high-iron beans (Nyota beans) by offering:
- Training on sustainable farming techniques
- High-quality seeds and fertilisers
- Market access support for their new crops
Economic Benefits
Switching to crops like high-iron beans has resulted in:
- Higher profits than tobacco farming
- Lower labour needs, easing farmers’ workloads
- Greater financial stability, allowing farmers to pay for education and basic needs
For instance:
- Sarah Ikarot Papa (Busia County) harvested 54 kilograms of high-iron beans from a quarter-acre plot, using the money for her children’s education.
- Gilbert Ombok (56-year-old farmer) noted better income and less strenuous work after the switch from tobacco.
Health Benefits
- Farmers avoid nicotine poisoning (Green Tobacco Sickness) and pesticide exposure
- Reduced respiratory hazards from tobacco dust and curing smoke
- Better nutrition for families due to high-iron beans, helping to combat iron deficiency
Community Impact
- Increased income stability leads to improved education and healthcare access
- Stronger local economies as more farmers adopt sustainable practices
- Supports global goals to reduce poverty, improve health, and promote economic growth
Policy and Support Mechanisms
The Kenyan government and international groups are helping farmers switch from tobacco farming. Different policies and initiatives make it easier to switch to healthier and more profitable options.
Key Policies and Regulations
- WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC):
- Kenya has signed this agreement. It encourages countries to reduce tobacco production and help farmers find alternative crops.
- Tax Policies and Advertising Restrictions:
- The government has introduced higher taxes on tobacco products. It has also limited advertising to discourage tobacco farming and use.
Community Health Worker Training
- Health workers are key in teaching farmers about:
- Health risks of tobacco farming, such as nicotine poisoning and pesticide exposure.
- Safe farming methods for alternative crops like high-iron beans.
- Soil and water conservation techniques to boost land productivity.
- These efforts help farmers feel confident. They learn to use safer and more sustainable farming methods.
Market Support for Alternative Crops
Finding buyers for their new crops is one of farmers’ biggest worries. To overcome this, companies and governmental agencies are:
- Bridging farmers with dependable market in order to make stable income.
- Encouraging financial institutions to fund transitioning farmers.
- Providing incentives and resources to improve productivity, including good seeds and fertilizers.
Tobacco-Free Farms demonstrates that farmers can transition to profitable and sustainable agriculture with support.
Conclusion
Tobacco cultivation in Kenya is more harmful than beneficial. Due to the use of chemicals on their crops, farmers make little money, suffer from health problems, and ruin their land. The good part is that there is a better alternative. Instead of tobacco, many farmers grow beans nowadays. The new crops are now more profitable, simpler to cultivate, and healthier.
Farmers still need help to be able to adopt this change. They can be trained and supported through government policies to plant different crops. They have the ability to sell what they produce due to good market relations.