I live in North Carolina. I am curious about the logic and the origin
of the tobacco allotment program - why it exists etc, and what the
logic and reason for the buyout of these quotas is.  Tobacco farmers
are close to securing billions of dollars for giving up their
allotments by a federal farm program. Why can't tobacco farmers just
be subject to the markets like every other business? I am not looking
for a personal political opinion, as much as just trying to understand
why tobacco seems to be different than other crops.  Todays newspaper
says that "Separate proposed tax bills will pay farmers billions to
give up allotments dictating how much tobacco they can sell under the
federal program that began in the great depression."  Why is that and
what is the reason for it???

moneymgr-ga:

US Tobacco history and and evolution of the policy goes back
centuries.  The evolution of policy may not be completely logical, but
is "something that sort of works."

You may want to search for History of Tobacco Policy  or History of
Tobacco Allotment Policy and read several of the websites - especilly
the US (and State) Government ones.  Good luck.