Latest news with #BlackBurley
New Indian Express
6 days ago
- New Indian Express
Govt bans cultivation of Black Burley for current agricultural season
GUNTUR: Bapatla District Collector J Venkata Murali has announced a complete ban on the cultivation of Black Burley tobacco for the current agricultural season, citing falling prices and reduced company purchases that have impacted farmers. Speaking at a review meeting held at the Collectorate on Wednesday, attended by officials from Markfed, the Agriculture Department, and private buyers, the Collector said the move aims to protect farmers from further losses. 'In recent years, excess production due to corporate assurances has led to sharp price drops, hurting farmer income. Many companies have now withdrawn from procurement,' he said. The Collector warned that even raising seedlings in nurseries is prohibited. Violators will face strict action, including crop destruction and possible legal consequences. Farmers who have already cultivated the crop can sell it to private buyers, but are advised not to bring bundles with more than 20% moisture content to procurement centres. The Bapatla Colelctor assured tobacco farmers of full government support, stating, 'We are committed to ensuring that every last leaf is sold. Trust the administration and don't fall prey to fear.'
The Hindu
23-07-2025
- Business
- The Hindu
Bapatla District Collector bans Black Burley tobacco cultivation for this year
In a significant move, Bapatla District Collector J. Venkata Murali has imposed a complete ban on the cultivation of Black Burley tobacco in the district for the current agricultural year, citing severe financial losses suffered by farmers in recent seasons. Chairing a review meeting at the Bapatla Collectorate on Wednesday with officials from MARKFED, the Agriculture Department, and private buyers, Mr. Murali said excessive cultivation—driven by unkept promises from companies—had led to market crashes, leaving farmers in distress. He warned that any violation of the ban, including nursery cultivation, would invite strict action, including destruction of crops. 'Even nursery cultivation of Black Burley tobacco is strictly prohibited,' he said, urging farmers to switch to more profitable alternatives. Reassuring farmers, the Collector said the government would stand by them and support those transitioning to sustainable crops. However, farmers who have already harvested Black Burley will be allowed to sell their produce to private buyers. He also cautioned growers against bringing tobacco with moisture content exceeding 20% to procurement centres and advised them to safeguard the crop from rain damage. Mr. Murali reaffirmed the administration's commitment to protecting farmer interests and assured procurement of every legally grown leaf this season.
Hans India
17-07-2025
- Politics
- Hans India
Jagan unfit for politics: Ministers
Addanki: Agriculture Minister Kinjarapu Atchannaidu and Energy Minister Gottipati Ravikumar launched a scathing attack on former Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy, calling him 'unfit for politics' and the 'most incompetent chief minister' among all chief ministers who served Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. They inaugurated the black burley tobacco procurement centre and the swearing-in ceremony of the new committee members, including Telaprolu Ramesh as chairman, at the Agriculture Market Yard in Santhamaguluru on Wednesday. Speaking after the launch of the tobacco procurement centre, Minister Atachannaidu explained that the government has allocated about Rs 270 crore for the tobacco procurement through Markfed, marking the first time in the country's history that a state government has undertaken tobacco procurement directly. He said that the initiative is specifically taken up for the Black Burley tobacco farmers, who were facing market difficulties due to bumper harvests this year. Minister Gottipati explained that tobacco, cocoa, and mango crops achieved exceptionally high yields this year, leading to price drops in the market. The government stepped in to ensure farmers receive fair compensation, he said. Speaking at the oath-taking ceremony of the Santhamaguluru Agricultural Market Committee, the ministers launched sharp criticism against Jagan. Atachannaidu called the former CM unfit for politics, and accused him of mentally harassing and jailing opposition leaders, including himself and the present CM, Chandrababu Naidu. He alleged that Jagan's government manufactured and sold liquor, embezzling Rs 32,000 crore through the scam. He criticised the earlier YSRCP government for neglect of projects like Polavaram, which was 70 percent complete but ignored for five years. Gottipati said that though TDP has 18 MLAs in the assembly, they fought against 154 YSRCP members for five years. He criticised Jagan for neglecting the 1000 MW Polavaram power project. The ministers explained to the public about the current government's welfare initiatives, including the pensions, Thalliki Vandanam, free gas cylinders, etc, and announced that the financial assistance programme for auto drivers is on the cards. They said that the benefits of Annadata Sukhibhava will be distributed by this month-end, while free bus travel for women will be launched on August 15. Atachannaidu also informed that the government is providing additional support for the cocoa and mango farmers. Minister Gottipati emphasised the contrast between the current and previous governments and announced that over Rs 3 crore had been invested in canal maintenance, major and minor irrigation repairs completed before the agricultural season, in the Addanki assembly constituency under the coalition government. He announced the construction of warehouses and chilli yards at identified places soon.
Time of India
15-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Andhra Pradesh government establishes additional tobacco procurement centres
Vijayawada: In a major relief to tobacco farmers, the state govt has established additional procurement centres in Guntur, Palnadu, Bapatla, and Prakasam districts to accelerate the purchase of Black Burley tobacco during the ongoing 2024–25 crop season. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The move comes in response to growing concerns over delays in procurement due to full warehouses and limited infrastructure in high-yield regions. Agriculture minister K Atchannaidu directed district collectors to take immediate steps to operationalise these centres, with special administrative permissions granted for smooth implementation. The minister assured that the state govt will bear full transportation costs and arrange for alternative godown storage to prevent bottlenecks in procurement. He also emphasised that small and marginal farmers will be given top priority under the revised procurement system starting Monday, July 21, with up to 20 quintals per farmer to be procured on a priority basis. Farmers with more than 20 quintals will be accommodated through a separate schedule. So far, 36 million kgs of tobacco—around 45% of total production from 36,000 hectares—was procured by 22 private companies and AP Markfed. Minister Atchannaidu also stated that quality standards will be maintained during procurement, and that the state and central warehousing corporations may be involved if additional storage capacity is required. The current weekly procurement system will continue until Saturday, July 19. Energy minister Gottipati Ravi Kumar, MLAs P Pullarao, Eluru Sambasiva Rao, Ramamjaneyulu, and top officials including special chief secretary Rajashekhar, director of agriculture Dilli Rao, marketing commissioner Sunitha, and tobacco board representatives are closely monitoring the process.
Hans India
15-07-2025
- Business
- Hans India
More Black Burley tobacco procurement centres soon
Guntur: To expedite the procurement of Black Burley tobacco, the state government announced the establishment of additional procurement centres in key tobacco-growing districts. Agriculture minister K Atchannaidu confirmed that special permissions have been granted to district collectors to facilitate this process, with a strong emphasis on prioritising small and marginal farmers. The announcement came on Monday during a review meeting held at the Regional Agricultural Research Station (RARS) in Lam, Guntur district. MLAs from tobacco-growing constituencies, energy minister Gottipati Ravi Kumar, special chief secretary of agriculture B Rajaskehar, other senior government officials, and farmers took part. Atchannaidu said that for the 2024-25 crop year Black Burley tobacco was cultivated across 36,000 hectares. So far, 22 tobacco companies and AP Marfed have procured 36 million kg, accounting for 45 per cent of the total production. To accelerate the remaining procurement, new centres will be authorised in Guntur, Palnadu, Bapatla, and Prakasam districts. District collectors will have full administrative flexibility in this regard. The Minister reassured farmers facing full warehouses in rural areas, stating that the government would bear all transportation costs and arrange storage in new, nearby godowns. Referring to the key procurement details, the minister said that under the new procurement system, produce up to 20 quintals per small and marginal farmer will be procured on priority basis, provided quality standards are met. He recalled that under the existing procurement system the weekly schedule under the old procurement system will continue until Saturday. He said that larger farmers who bring more than 20 quintals of produce, separate schedules will be issued to ensure timely procurement. The minister also indicated that State and Central Warehousing Corporations would be involved in procurement and storage operations if necessary.
