From fuel wood to power plug: Tobacco curing goes green in AP

Rajahmundry: A farmer-friendly, highly efficient electricity-based curing technology is set to transform tobacco processing in India by reducing costs, labour dependence and environmental impact. At the centre of this shift is a newly developed curing technology by the ICAR–National Institute for Research on Commercial Agriculture (ICAR–NIRCA), in collaboration with Owl Tech Pvt. Ltd. The innovation is being hailed as a breakthrough that addresses both environmental concerns and long-standing operational challenges faced by farmers. Flue-Cured Virginia (FCV) tobacco curing has historically relied on fuel wood-fired barns—a system that has remained largely unchanged for over a century. The process typically consumes around five kilograms of fuel wood for every kilogram of green leaf, making it one of the most energy-intensive and environmentally taxing stages in tobacco production. Beyond emissions, the traditional curing system presents multiple challenges, including heavy dependence on fuel wood that contributes to deforestation pressures, high labour requirements, non-availability of skilled curers, and inconsistent cured leaf quality that affects market prices. As climate concerns intensify and labour dynamics shift, the limitations of this system have become increasingly evident. International buyers and multinational companies are now prioritising supply chains that demonstrate low carbon emissions across production and processing, elimination of deforestation-linked practices, traceability and transparency in sourcing, and compliance with environmental and social responsibility standards.Farmer-centric solution According to Dr. Venumadhav, Director of NIRCA, responding to these challenges, ICAR–NIRCA's new curing system replaces fuel wood entirely with electric–powered technology, achieving zero direct carbon emissions during the curing process. What distinguishes the system is its integration of IoT-enabled precision controls, allowing real-time monitoring and automated regulation. The technology offers simple and user-friendly operation without wood fuel, minimal labour requirement, reduced curing time, and uniform, high-quality cured leaf. The curing cycle is completed in four to four-and-a-half days, presenting a faster and more efficient alternative to conventional barns. In a notable expansion of its utility, the technology is not limited to tobacco alone. Researchers highlight its adaptability for drying chillies, mushrooms and coconut, making it a versatile post-harvest solution. This multi-crop applicability is particularly relevant for farmers engaged in diversified agriculture, enabling them to use the system across seasons and commodities, thereby enhancing overall farm income. India's commitment to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050 requires transformation across all sectors, including agriculture. While much focus has been placed on crop production, post-harvest processes such as curing also contribute significantly to emissions. As sustainability becomes central to both policy and markets, the tobacco sector stands at a crossroads. The shift from smoke-filled barns to clean, intelligent and farmer-friendly curing systems signals more than a technological upgrade—it reflects a broader transformation in aligning agriculture with environmental responsibility and economic viability.