Honoring Tradition. Empowering Communities.
Since 2012, World Tobacco Growers’ Day (WTGD) has been a heartfelt celebration of the people behind one of the world’s oldest and most storied crops. What began as a simple tribute has now grown to reach communities in every corner of the world, uniting farmers, families, and supporters in pride and gratitude.
WTGD shines a light on the cultural, historical, and socio-economic legacy of tobacco growing — a livelihood that has shaped generations and sustained rural communities for centuries. Tobacco growers work in a legal and regulated market, and this day is about giving dignity and recognition to their honest labor and enduring contribution to the global agricultural landscape.
Join us in celebrating World Tobacco Growers’ Day 2025 on 28 October — a day to honor tradition, support farming communities, and celebrate the people who keep this legacy alive.
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On World Tobacco Growers’ Day 2025, ITGA Strengthens Commitment to Decent Living Incomes for Farmers Worldwide
On the occasion of World Tobacco Growers’ Day, the International Tobacco Growers’ Association reaffirms its commitment to ensuring decent living incomes and sustainable livelihoods for tobacco farmers across its global supply chains.
World Tobacco Growers’ Day, first launched by the International Tobacco Growers’ Association (ITGA), was established to unify the voices of tobacco farmers and highlight their essential role in global agriculture and rural development.
“On this day, we honor the dedication and resilience of millions of tobacco farmers whose work sustains communities and economies around the world,” said Mercedes Vázquez, ITGA CEO.
"As we celebrate World Tobacco Growers’ Day, we also renew our commitment to building fair, inclusive, and sustainable value chains that ensure every farmer earns a decent living income.”
Advancing Fair and Sustainable Tobacco Supply Chains
To achieve this goal, ITGA has launched a comprehensive framework focused on eight key pillars that address the root causes of income inequality and strengthen the sustainability of farming communities:
- Fair and Transparent Pricing – Implementing living income reference prices that reflect the real cost of sustainable production and ensure equitable value distribution.
- Fair Labor Practices – Promoting living wages, safe working environments, and access to social protection for all agricultural workers.
- Productivity and Resource Access – Providing training, quality inputs, and infrastructure to improve efficiency, crop quality, and income stability.
- Market Power and Governance – Supporting grower organizations and cooperatives to enhance their bargaining power and representation.
- Financial Inclusion – Expanding access to credit, savings, and insurance to build financial resilience among smallholder farmers.
- Sustainability and Climate Resilience – Encouraging climate-smart farming, soil conservation, and biodiversity protection to secure long-term livelihoods.
- Policy and Enabling Environment – Advocating for policies that recognize and protect farmers’ right to a decent living income and sustainable production.
- Collaboration and Accountability – Partnering with governments, the ITGA, and other stakeholders to monitor progress, share data, and ensure transparency.
Empowering Growers for the Future
Through this initiative, ITGA aims to:
- Conduct living income assessments across key tobacco-growing regions;
- Introduce fair pricing and procurement models that bridge income gaps; and
- Deliver technical and financial support that empowers farming families to thrive.
This effort builds upon the ITGA’s founding vision of a united and respected global tobacco farming community, ensuring that growers’ voices continue to shape the industry’s sustainable future.