Latest news with #TobaccoBoard
New Indian Express
7 days ago
- Business
- New Indian Express
Andhra Pradesh: ‘No bids' at 11 tobacco auction platforms
ONGOLE: FCV (Flue-Cured Virginia) tobacco growers in the Southern Black Soil (SBS) and Southern Light Soil (SLS) regions have expressed concern over high rejection and 'No Bid' rates at all 11 Tobacco Board auction platforms. Despite the Board reducing the Minimum Purchase Price by Rs 10 to Rs 140 per kg, exporters and buyers remain unwilling to purchase low-grade stocks. From Friday to Monday, rejection rates ranged between 28% and 34%. On Friday, 2,476 of 7,349 bales (33.70%) were rejected; on Saturday, 2,343 of 6,877 bales (34%) faced rejection; and on Monday, 2,054 of 7,090 bales (28.97%) were turned away. AP Rythu Sangham State President V Krishnaiah urged the government to extend the purchase schedule until the end of September and provide a support price as per the Swaminathan Committee's recommendations. He said the burley tobacco production is estimated at 85 lakh kg, with 39.33 lakh kg still unsold.
New Indian Express
01-08-2025
- Business
- New Indian Express
FCV tobacco farmers stage protest in Ongole;demand Rs 1,000 crore fund, MSP of Rs 20,000 per quintal
ONGOLE: FCV tobacco growers from Prakasam district, under the banner of Andhra Pradesh Rythu Sangham, staged a dharna on Thursday in front of the Tobacco Board's Regional Manager's office in Ongole. The farmers demanded immediate intervention by the Tobacco Board, as well as the State and Central Governments, to ensure the purchase of low-grade tobacco bales at a Minimum Support Price (MSP). They urged the government to sanction a Rs 1,000 crore fund to ensure fair prices, and demanded Rs 20,000 per quintal as the MSP for low-grade tobacco. Rythu Sangham leaders accused the Tobacco Board and its Executive Director of colluding with corporate tobacco buyers to serve corporate interests over those of farmers. The farmers submitted a memorandum to Regional Manager S Rama Rao. District president Jajjuri Jayanth Babu and secretary Pamidi Venkata Rao said 45% of tobacco bales were rejected by buyers this season, pushing growers into financial distress, with projected losses of Rs 5–6 lakh per barn. Due to increased crop targets from 140 to 180 million kg and unfavourable weather, farmers suffered heavily despite cultivating the Virginia variety as advised. Several farmer representatives also were present.
New Indian Express
07-07-2025
- Business
- New Indian Express
Burley tobacco farmers in Andhra Pradesh seek policy solution
GUNTUR: Following a record-high production season, Burley tobacco farmers in Andhra Pradesh are facing a sharp price crash and mounting uncertainty. While a partial relief effort is underway through government procurement, growers are intensifying calls for long-term regulatory reforms, including bringing Burley tobacco under the purview of the Tobacco Board. In the 2025 season, Burley tobacco was cultivated across four major districts — Bapatla, Guntur, Palnadu, and Prakasam — covering a total of 90,964 acres, and yielding approximately 102.48 million kg. Bapatla led the production with 13,451 farmers cultivating it in 66,814 acres, and producing 75.96 million kg. Guntur followed with 3,731 farmers cultivating it in 14,094 acres, and generating 15.45 million kg. Palnadu contributed 8.75 million kg from 7,876 acres cultivated by 2,264 farmers, while Prakasam had the lowest output of 2.32 million kg from 2,180 acres and 530 farmers. To address the crisis caused by trader inaction, the State government, through APMARKFED, launched a direct procurement programme — a first-of-its-kind initiative in the country. The government allocated nearly Rs 300 crore to procure 20 million kg of Burley tobacco. The procurement began on June 10 across 11 centres. By July 5, 2,088 metric tonnes valued at Rs 17.2 crore had been procured from over 700 farmers. Despite this, farmer leaders say the pace is inadequate. Dr Kolla Rajamohan of the Nallamada Rythu Sangham highlighted the risk of quality degradation and income loss due to delays. He urged for quicker payments, more procurement centres at mandal-level, and permission for cross-district sales. He also called for relaxed moisture content norms and timely slot allocation updates via SMS or WhatsApp.
New Indian Express
16-06-2025
- Business
- New Indian Express
Andhra CM Naidu seeks Rs 150 crore from Centre to buy 20 million kg of HD Burley tobacco
VIJAYAWADA: Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu met Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal on Sunday, and discussed critical issues affecting the State's farmers and exporters. The meeting addressed tobacco procurement, palm oil import duty, aqua exports, and GST on mango pulp, with Naidu seeking Central assistance to support Andhra Pradesh's agricultural economy. The Chief Minister specifically requested Rs 150 crore from the Tobacco Board to facilitate tobacco procurement, noting that the State is spending Rs 300 crore to purchase 20 million kg of HD Burley tobacco due to slump in market prices. He urged the Tobacco Board to cover half of this expenditure to ease the State's financial burden, and support tobacco farmers. Naidu highlighted that seven procurement centres have been set up in Bapatla, Guntur, Palnadu and Prakasam districts to streamline the tobacco purchases. He also proposed amending laws to regulate tobacco production, and marketing through the Tobacco Board. The Chief Minister raised concern over the 10% import duty on palm oil, which has lowered prices, and hurt Andhra Pradesh's oil palm farmers. He urged Goyal to reconsider this decision, emphasising its conflict with the National Mission on Edible Oils' goals, and its adverse impact on farmers' incomes.
Hans India
16-06-2025
- Business
- Hans India
Industrial parks will be set up in AP: Piyush
Guntur: Union Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal said the Centre and State governments will jointly set up industrial parks in the state. Along with the Union Minister of State for Rural Development and Communications Dr Pemmasani Chandrasekhar, he conducted a review meeting on National Industrial Corridor Development at the Tobacco Board office here on Sunday. Later, addressing the media, he said industrial parks set up in the state will benefit 1.6 crore families and generate employment opportunities. He urged the farmers not to cultivate tobacco more than limit and added that during the last four years, tobacco farmers got better prices and their income doubled. He assured that he will take steps to solve the problems of the tobacco farmers and expressed satisfaction over the meeting held with Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu on industrial development and exports promotion. He said they had discussed tourism promotion. He discussed with the Tobacco Board officials on how to extend helping hand to the Burley tobacco farmers who suffered losses due to falling prices. He directed the board officials to take up skill development programmes with reputed institutes for the children of tobacco farmers and teach French, Japanese and German languages. Minister for R&B and Infrastructure BC Janardhan Reddy, Tobacco Board chairman Chirupothu Yashwant and others were present.
