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.
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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.
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