Fukushima farmers await results of leaf tobacco radiation tests

Farmers inFukushimaprefecture have harvested leaf tobacco for the first time since cultivation was stopped due to the crisis at the Fukushima No. 1 nuclear power plant, according to a Yomiuri Shimbun story.

This year, leaf tobacco farmers, enthusiastic about reviving tobacco growing, were said to have taken measures to reduce radioactive contamination.

They are currently awaiting the results of radiation tests on their harvested tobacco and are pinning their hopes on making shipments this year. The tobacco is due to be shipped sometime in December.

Fukushimafarmers grow a native species of tobacco and Burley.

In fiscal 2010, they harvested about 1,770 tons of tobacco worth about ¥3.24 billion.

But due to theFukushimanuclear disaster in March last year and Japan Tobacco Inc. soliciting farmers willing to quit leaf tobacco growing, the number of farmers in the prefecture dropped from 1,167 in 2011 to 675 this year.