New tech pushed to boost Tobacco output

The National Tobacco Administration (NTA) is ramping up efforts to boost domestic tobacco output through new technologies and innovations.

The NTA said it had tasked researchers and technical experts with developing cost-efficient yet high-quality tobacco production technologies to achieve higher output.

“Our goal is maximum yield without sacrificing quality and with the least cost possible,” NTA Administrator Belinda Sanchez said.

“We must ensure that the technology shared with farmers is the latest and most effective, because our mandate is to uplift the lives of tobacco farmers,” Sanchez added.

According to the NTA, these technologies will be consolidated into manuals and training modules for nationwide rollout.

“These are expected to help farmers increase yield, improve leaf quality, adopt more sustainable practices, and explore supplementary livelihood opportunities,” it added.

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The NTA recently held a three-day workshop to review findings from its 27 research papers, technical reports, private sector studies and protocol trials. It also assessed and updated the package of technology for Virginia, Burley and Native tobacco types.

NTA Deputy Administrator Nestor Casela said the annual review allows the agency to to evaluate past outcomes and align strategies. Discussions centering on technical review of seed varieties, cultivation methods, post-harvest practices, and curing technologies and production updating.

According to the agency, updated guidelines should take into account climate conditions, market demand and the economic well-being of farmers.