Towards a tobacco-free world: Some farmers in Indonesia have decided to grow other crops. In two new short videos, they explain why they took this step and how growing food is improving their lives.

Indonesia is among the five countries with the largest area under tobacco cultivation worldwide. However, tobacco farmers often struggle to make a living from growing tobacco. [1]

This is because there are several factors in the tobacco trade that put tobacco farmers at a financial disadvantage when selling their produce, such as commissions paid to middlemen or low prices for high-quality tobacco leaves. Consequently, some tobacco farmers, emboldened by the desire for change, have taken the plunge and started growing other crops. They are receiving support from the Indonesian Multicultural Farmers’ Forum (FPMI) and the Muhammadiyah School for Farmers at Muhammadiyah University of Magelang. The School for Farmers was founded in 2021 and has since been helping farmers to move away from tobacco cultivation, diversify their sources of income and develop their skills.[2]

In our new short videos, farmers share their experiences and the initial results of this venture.

Join us for a brief glimpse into Indonesia:

Indonesian farmers explain how the courage for change is fostering new hope on the same soil.

A portrait of two farmers who have given up tobacco for a better future.

A big thank you goes to the interviewees and to our colleagues at the Muhammadiyah Tobacco Control Centre and Universitas Muhammadiyah Magelang in Indonesia, with whom we collaborated on these videos.

“Every farming family dreams of a brighter future for their children, better education and a decent life.”

World Map of Change: Alternative livelihoods to Tobacco Growing