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Hans India
3 days ago
- Business
- Hans India
CM reaches out to mango, tobacco and cocoa farmers
Vijayawada: Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, while drawing attention to 'unique challenges surrounding the production of crops like tobacco and mango', has advised officials to adopt a commercial perspective when dealing with agricultural produce without failing to secure 'the best possible prices for farmers'. At a review held on support prices for mango, tobacco, and cocoa, the Chief Minister directed officials to expedite the procurement of the remaining HD Burley tobacco, after he was informed that 80 million kg of HD Burley tobacco was produced this year. Of this, 27 million kg had already been procured, officials told the Chief Minister. In this regard, arrangements have been made for 24 companies to purchase 33 million kg, while AP Markfed is set to procure the rest. Procurement centers have been established in Bapatla, Guntur, Palnadu and Prakasam districts. Officials informed the Chief Minister that procurement operations at these centers would be intensified starting Thursday. The CM instructed that all relevant information, including details of procurement centers, be promptly shared with every tobacco farmer. The Chief Minister directed the implementation of robust grading systems to enhance exports. He mentioned that he had already discussed with the Union government the reduction of import duties on palm oil and the lowering of GST on mango pulp from 12% to 5%. He asked officials to coordinate with the relevant central departments on these matters. Chandrababu Naidu stressed the importance of keeping farmers informed about crop plans, especially concerning mango cultivation. To ensure fair pricing, farmers need timely information on market demand. Addressing the crisis faced by mango farmers, with pulp factories offering them as low as Rs 4 per kg, Chandrababu mentioned that the government was providing an additional support price of ₹4 per kg for mangoes and instructed officials to ensure that processing units purchased mangoes at no less than ₹8 per kg. He reassured that the government would stand by farmers to prevent any losses. Regarding cocoa, officials reported that 12,000 metric tonnes had been produced this year, of which 10,000 metric tonnes had already been sold. The authorities are currently procuring 80 to 100 metric tonnes per day. Chandrababu directed that the remaining stock be procured by the first week of July. He also instructed the formulation of an action plan to establish more fruit processing units across the state. Emphasizing the importance of exports aligned with international market requirements, the Chief Minister reiterated the need to implement best-in-class grading mechanisms. Agriculture Minister Atchennaidu and senior officials from the agriculture and horticulture departments attended the meeting. District Collectors of Guntur, Bapatla, and Prakasam joined via video conference.
Time of India
3 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Naidu fast-tracks tobacco procurement amid price slump
1 2 3 V ijayawada: Chief minister Chandrababu Naidu on Wednesday directed the agriculture and marketing officials to expedite the procurement of HD Burley tobacco from the farmers. In view of the falling prices of tobacco, mango, and cocoa, Naidu held a review meeting with the officials to take stock of the procurement after govt intervention fixing the minimum support price (MSP) for all three crops. The chief minister observed that the prevailing market conditions with regard to mango, cocoa, and even tobacco are unprecedented. He stressed the need to stand by farmers in light of the unique challenges and advised officials to adopt a commercial perspective to secure the best possible prices for farmers. Explaining the present situation, the officials informed the chief minister that out of the 80 million kilograms of HD Burley tobacco produced this year, 27 million kilograms were procured, and another 33 million kilograms are being procured by 27 companies. The remaining 20 million kilograms will be procured by the AP Markfed, officials told Naidu. Presently, procurement of tobacco is being done from three centres in Bapatla, two in Guntur, and one each in Palnadu and Prakasam districts. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Skype Phone Alternative Undo Naidu instructed the officials to implement a robust grading system to enhance exports so that farmers get a better price. He instructed them to make all relevant information available for the farmers. The chief minister further said he already discussed the impact of import reduction on palm oil and the increase of GST on mango pulp. He advised the officials to coordinate with the officials in the central govt to get favourable decisions for farmers. He also instructed the formulation of an action plan to establish more fruit processing units across the state. Emphasising the importance of exports aligned with international market requirements, the chief minister reiterated the need to implement best-in-class grading mechanisms. Agriculture minister K Achennaidu and senior officials from the agriculture and horticulture departments attended the meeting. District collectors of Guntur, Bapatla, and Prakasam joined via video conference.
Time of India
08-06-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Andhra Pradesh Markfed steps in to procure tobacco amidst farmer protests
Ongole: The Andhra Pradesh govt has launched a procurement drive for tobacco through AP Markfed at three auction centers in Prakasam district, amidst a serious crisis and protests by tobacco farmers. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The move comes after farmers produced approximately 80 million kilograms of black burley tobacco in Guntur, Prakasam, Bapatla, and Nellore districts, and were struggling to sell their crop due to a lack of demand from traders. The state govt has decided to depute AP Markfed to procure tobacco, particularly black burley, taking into consideration the demands of tobacco growers. However, the govt has not taken any decision to bail out FCV (Virginia) tobacco growers, who are also struggling with poor prices offered by traders, and is instead anticipating that the Centre and Tobacco Board will initiate measures to help them. The crisis in the tobacco industry has been triggered by a massive production of white and black burley tobacco by farmers, who had hoped to reap rich dividends due to high demand for FCV tobacco last year. However, the prices of FCV tobacco plummeted to as low as Rs 220 per kilogram due to poor export orders, leaving farmers in a difficult situation. Notwithstanding the low demand for FCV in the international market, the big exporters reported to have honored their commitments with regard to white burley and picked up almost 60mkg stock by mid-May itself. However, the traders refused to pick up black burley as there was no utility for the leaf. The protests by tobacco growers, particularly in Prakasam district, have been intense, with local TDP legislators facing the brunt of the farmers' anger. The legislators have been exerting pressure on the govt to intervene and help the farmers, leading to the decision to deploy AP Markfed for procurement. AP Markfed district manager Karunasri has stated that the procurement drive will be completed within a fortnight. However, it remains unclear how Markfed will dispose of the stock and to whom. The government's decision to procure tobacco has provided some relief to farmers, but the long-term solution to the crisis in the tobacco industry remains uncertain.
Hindustan Times
14-05-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Andhra govt 'failed' tenant farmers, alleges YSRCP leader
Amaravati, YSRCP leader K Nageswara Rao on Wednesday accused Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu of "abandoning" tenant farmers ahead of the Kharif season. The former minister stated that over 32 lakh tenant farmers, nearly 80 per cent of Andhra's agricultural workforce, are allegedly suffering due to the cancellation of tenant cards and the withdrawal of vital support. "Naidu's focus is on Amaravati, not on farmers," said Rao in a release, claiming that tenant farmers now rely on private loans with up to five per cent interest, plunging deeper into debt. During the tenure of former Chief Minister Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy, 26 lakh farmers received tenant cards, and over ₹8,300 crore in crop loans were extended, benefiting seven lakh tenant farmers, said Rao. Additionally, over ₹752 crore was provided as investment support to Scheduled Castes , Scheduled Tribes , Backward Classes , and minority farmers, while insurance and compensation schemes protected lakhs of farmers, he asserted. The former YSRCP government also procured damaged crops, bought rain-soaked paddy, and stabilized tobacco prices with ₹500 crore through Markfed, said Rao in the release. A P Markfed , is a federation of Marketing Cooperative Societies in the district with the main object of helping the farmers to secure better price for their produce by taking care of their market needs and providing agricultural inputs. Now, the Crop Cultivator Rights Card process has allegedly been stalled, the Annadata Sukheebhava scheme has been ignored, and farmers lack investment aid, facing mounting losses as the Kharif season nears, Rao alleged. He also claimed that tobacco prices have crashed, with companies rejecting produce, while farmers face losses on 80,000 acres of Burley tobacco. Rao urged immediate procurement through the Tobacco Board and called on Deputy CM Pawan Kalyan to seek the Centre's help for relief to distressed farmers.
