Since the removal of tobacco leaf subsidies in 2002, farmers in the Aegean, Black Sea and Marmara regions have shifted to other economic activities. Many farmers used their own initiative and resources to switch to vine, almond, cherries, olive or dairy farming. Other farmers have gone into tourism or migrated to major cities. In the Aegean Region, the provincial agriculture directorates provided support for farmers to start activities such as olive and thyme cultivation as well as cattle and dairy farming.
The Tobacco and Alcohol Market Regulatory Authority (TAPDK) and the Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Livestock are the authorities responsible for monitoring and researching alternative crops to tobacco in Turkey.[1]