Latest news with #MARKFED
Hans India
4 days ago
- Business
- Hans India
Govt agrees to purchase tobacco through Markfed
Parchur: Relentless efforts of the Parchur MLA, Yeluru Sambasiva Rao, on behalf of Black Burley tobacco farmers have finally borne fruit, with the government giving the green signal for tobacco procurement from the second week of June through the MARKFED system. On Tuesday, MLA Yeluru Sambasiva Rao met with Agriculture Department Special Principal Secretary Rajasekhar, urging immediate action to resolve the severe tobacco crisis. Minister Gottipati Ravikumar also spoke with the Principal Secretary over the phone, requesting the initiation of tobacco procurement. The minister assured that tobacco issues would be discussed in the upcoming cabinet meeting. Responding to these efforts, the government expressed readiness to procure tobacco through the MARKFED in the second week of June. The Principal Secretary informed the MLA that the district marketing officials under the state marketing department are conducting field visits and will submit reports, and announced to take action for tobacco procurement at the Perchuru, Inkolu, and Marturu market yards through MARKFED. During the meeting, the MLA informed the officer that the farmers are voluntarily moving toward crop diversification and are prepared to cultivate alternative crops. He detailed how farmers faced severe difficulties due to increased cultivation area and crop yields without corresponding prices. He explained to the PS that he had multiple discussions with farmers, and noted their willingness to embrace crop diversification while requesting government support. MLA Yeluri also explained that farmers are declaring they will not cultivate crops without company contracts. He said that many farmers support this stance, as it will eliminate difficultiesfor farmers during crop procurement.
Hans India
25-05-2025
- Business
- Hans India
Govt pledges full support for Black Burley tobacco farmers
Parchur: The minister for agriculture, cooperation, and marketing, KinjarapuAtchannaidu, assured comprehensive support to Black Burley tobacco farmers and promised to purchase their entire crop down to the last leaf. Atahcannaidu, energy minister Gottipati Ravi Kumar, and Parchur MLA Yeluri Sambabsiva Rao participated in a face-to-face meeting with the Black Burley tobacco farmers, state-level officers, and representatives of companies at the Parchur MLA's camp office in Isukadarsi on Saturday. Following extensive discussions, the Atchannaidu announced an action plan for Black Burley tobacco procurement. The government has decided to purchase the crop in two grades, common variety at Rs 12,000 per quintal and low-grade variety at Rs 6,000 per quintal. Despite fluctuations in international market prices, companies have been instructed to maintain these fixed rates. The government has guaranteed to bear the processing costs for tobacco procurement and announced that if necessary, MARKFED will initiate Black Burley tobacco purchases. The government established six sub-committees to oversee the procurement process, ensuring that every last leaf of the farmers' produce is purchased. The minister emphasised that the government will work with complete sincerity to rescue farmers from the current crisis. He warned companies against making false promises and demanded clear commitments to benefit farmers. The Minister said that while the target was to cultivate 25 million kilograms of tobacco, farmers have currently grown 75 million kilograms, creating a surplus that has contributed to the crisis due to reduced international demand. Minister Gottipathi Ravi Kumar explained that farmers cultivated Black Burley tobacco with company encouragement, and now the government will ensure purchases until the last leaf. The Minister stressed that suicide should not be an option, and such thoughts should not enter farmers' minds. Special Chief Secretary of the Agriculture Department B Rajasekhar assured that the government will protect farmers in crisis and take measures to ensure companies purchase every last kilogram of tobacco. District collector J Venkata Murali confirmed that the government has made decisions favouring tobacco farmers and will continuously monitor the procurement process and price implementation. Parchuru MLA EluriSambasiva Rao called for government action to support farmers in crisis and explained the policies being implemented. Farmers from various areas, including Inkolu, Duddukuru, J Panguluru, and other mandals, requested the implementation of minimum support prices, citing severe losses from Black Burley tobacco cultivation. Agriculture Commissioner Dilli Rao, Tobacco Board Chairman Yaswant, Warehousing Corporation MD Suresh, Santanuthalapadu MLA BN Vijay Kumar, district agriculture officer Ramakrishna, and representatives from 20 companies, farmer organisation leaders and other stakeholders were present.
New Indian Express
10-05-2025
- Business
- New Indian Express
Stagnant prices hit tobacco farmers of Prakasam and Nellore districts
NELLORE: Tobacco farmers in Prakasam and Nellore districts are expressing deep disappointment as prices have failed to meet their expectations this season, despite escalating input costs. After three years of stable pricing, hopes for improved returns this year have been dashed. Two months since the auction season began, prices remain stagnant, leaving growers increasingly disheartened. For the 2024–25 season, the Tobacco Board permitted auctioning of 105 million kilograms in the Southern Light Soils (SLS) and Southern Black Soils (SBS) regions across Prakasam and Nellore, with 11 auction centres in operation. In Nellore's SLS region—including Kandukur-1, Kandukur-2, DC Palli, and Kaligiri centres—40 million kilograms were approved for sale. However, due to strong interest from cultivators, estimated production has surged to around 50 million kilograms. 'The cost of tobacco cultivation has increased. We hoped prices would rise accordingly, but the reality has let farmers down. In previous years, when prices dropped, the government intervened through MARKFED (State Cooperative Marketing Federation) to purchase stock and support us. A similar intervention is urgently needed now,' Ch Narayanaswamy, a farmer from Marripadu mandal told TNIE. Auctions commenced on March 10 and 19. Last year, the highest price per kg reached Rs 365, with an average of Rs 265. This year, prices opened at Rs 280 per kg and have since remained static. Farmers argue that high-grade tobacco, which should fetch Rs 28,000 per quintal, is now struggling to even reach Rs 20,000 for lower-grade produce.
