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Time of India
6 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Centre has done little to support tobacco farmers: Minister
Mysuru: The Union govt earns over Rs 13,000 crore in tax revenue from tobacco cultivated in Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka, yet it has done little to support the farmers who grow it—especially during times of distress, said minister for animal husbandry and sericulture K Venkatesh. Speaking at the 25th anniversary celebration of the Tobacco Institute of India's Tobacco Farmers Awards, held here on Tuesday, Venkatesh, who represents Periyapatna where tobacco is a major commercial crop, emphasised the plight of tobacco farmers. "Due to heavy rain, many farmers are suffering losses. The manure they applied was washed away, forcing them to reapply it—adding to their expenses. It is the duty of Union govt and the Tobacco Board to step in during such times," he said. Venkatesh, himself a tobacco farmer for over 60 years, noted that while farmers struggle, tobacco-dependent industries continue to earn massive profits. "Most farmers are incurring losses. Yet, the companies that rely on tobacco are making huge gains," he added. Despite discussions on banning tobacco, farmers are unwilling to abandon the crop, citing a lack of viable alternatives. He also pointed out that nearly half of Karnataka's tobacco is produced in a single taluk—Periyapatna—and stressed that such a high-revenue crop deserves more govt attention. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Dermatologista recomenda: simples truque elimina o fungo facilmente Acabe com o Fungo Undo Venkatesh cautioned farmers against growing a second tobacco crop in the same season, saying it often leads to greater losses. Mysore MP Yaduveer Wadiyar highlighted the need to reduce the high cost of tobacco production and urged for the adoption of modern technology. "Production costs are rising. Farmers need innovative methods to reduce expenses," he said. Wadiyar proposed an eco-friendly alternative to traditional firewood used in curing tobacco. "Currently, tobacco farmers use a lot of firewood. If they switch to lantana—a plant that is invasive and harmful to forests—it could help reduce environmental damage, while also cutting costs," he suggested. At the event, ten farmers from Karnataka were honoured across four categories. Sharad Tandan, director, TII, said India is the second largest tobacco producer in the world and the third largest producer of Flue Cured Virginia (FCV) tobacco, following China and Brazil. India is a leading leaf tobacco exporter in the world, exporting tobacco to more than 100 countries across the globe. "A significant challenge impacting the legal industry and the domestic tobacco growers is the large illegal cigarette trade. India is the fourth largest illicit cigarette market globally and results in an annual revenue loss of Rs 21,000 crore to the govt," added Tandan. Yashwanth Kumar Chidipothu, chairman of Tobacco Board, BC Srinivas, director (auctions), Tobacco Board, and S Ramakrishnan, principal scientist and head, CTRI Research Station, Hunsur, were present.
The Hindu
7 days ago
- Business
- The Hindu
Tobacco export reaches all-time high of ₹16,000 crore during 2024-25, says TII
Tobacco Institute of India (TII) said export of tobacco and tobacco products has reached an all-time high of over ₹16,000 crore during 2024-25, said director of TII Sharad Tandan at the Silver Jubilee of the TII Tobacco Farmers' awards held in Mysuru on Tuesday. A total of 10 farmers from Karnataka were honoured on the occasion for demonstrating benefits of modern farming practices. Established in 1999, the TII Tobacco Farmers' awards seek to encourage the farming community to adopt modern, sustainable, and innovative farming practices that would help improve yields, crop variety, and make Indian tobacco competitive in the global market. Mr. Tandan said there was a huge potential for growth in Indian tobacco exports and urged the government to provide export incentives similar to other tobacco exporting countries. 'This would improve the price competitiveness of Indian tobacco in the global market and help us tap the export potential, benefitting domestic farmers', he said. Pointing to the socio-economic contribution of tobacco sector, which provides livelihood to 4.6 crore people in India, Mr. Tandan said India, which is only the third largest producer of Flue Cured Virginia (FCV) tobacco in the world following China and Brazil, exports tobacco to more than 100 countries. The 'extremely high' cigarette taxation in the country was driving the illegal cigarette trade, he said. Illicit cigarettes are estimated to account for a third of the cigarette volumes in the country, which means every fourth cigarette sold in the country is illicit,' he said. 'This makes India the fourth largest illicit cigarette market globally and results in an annual revenue loss of ₹21,000 crores to the government,' Mr. Tandan said. He said whenever taxes have gone up, the share of illicit cigarette trade also increases and that smuggled cigarettes do not use domestic tobacco, leading to a drop in demand. The recipients of awards included Vikram Raj Urs under the Lifetime Achievement Category; Javare Gowda, K.M. Raju, Halamma, and K.M. Mallesh under Best Farmers' category; Kemparaju C. and Krishne Gowda K.C. under Sustainability category; and Chandre Gowda C., Kamalamma, and Chandappa under Recognition awards category. Minister for Animal Husbandry and Sericulture K. Venkatesh, Mysuru MP Yaduveer Krishnadatta Chamaraja Wadiyar, chairman of Tobacco Board Yashwanth Kumar Chidipothu, director (Auctions) of Tobacco Board B.C. Srinivas, and principal scientist, CTRI Research Station, Hunsur, S. Ramakrishnan were present.
