Based on "key success factors - Key Performance Indicator" (KSF-KPI) theory, a model was established to evaluate self-development ability of tobacco farmers' professional cooperatives. In the model, dependence on tobacco sector, profitability and income of members were taken into account. Empirical analysis in Hunan province showed that self-development ability was moderate, while the dependence was relatively high. Cooperative members get higher income from tobacco planting than non-member growers. But the average return of assets of cooperati...