Latest news with #Flue-CuredVirginia
The Hindu
25-06-2025
- Business
- The Hindu
Markfed starts procuring burley tobacco in Andhra Pradesh
Probably, for the first time in the country's history, the Andhra Pradesh Government has started procuring burley tobacco in the State from the farmers. The initiative comes in view of the destress in which the growers have landed this year due to increase in production and drastic fall in market prices. The State government has estimated that there is about 90 million kg of burley tobacco across the State, out of which a majority of the produce is from the Parchur Assembly constituency in Bapatla district. Parchur MLA Yeluri Sambasiva Rao has raised the issue of the burley tobacco growers and brought pressure on the government to purchase the produce to save the lives of the farmers. Manazir Jeelani Samoon, Managing Director of the Andhra Pradesh Markfed told The Hindu that they started procuring the burley tobacco at seven auction platforms in four districts — Bapatla, Palnadu, Prakasam and Guntur, with an initial target of 20 million kg. Private tobacco companies also started purchasing the produce from the farmers simultaneously. Curbs on cultivation Mr. Jeelani Samoon said, 'While instructing the Markfed to purchase the burley tobacco from the farmers, Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu has instructed the Agriculture Department and district Collectors not to allow the farmers to cultivate the crop from this agriculture year. There will be a strict prevention of burley tobacco cultivation in the State.' He added that the Tobacco Board did not involve in addressing the problem of the burley tobacco farmers, as it was mandated to look after only the Flue-Cured Virginia (FCV) tobacco. Mr. Sambasiva Rao said that farmers cultivated the burley tobacco in high quantity this year as the produce was purchased at very high price the previous year. 'But this year, the companies have refused to purchase the entire produce stating that there is no market for it,' he added.
New Indian Express
06-06-2025
- Business
- New Indian Express
Andhra Pradesh: CM vows to support tobacco and horticulture farmers
VIJAYAWADA: Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Thursday held a review meeting at his Undavalli camp office to address procurement and pricing concerns for cocoa, mango, and tobacco crops, reaffirming his government's commitment to supporting farmers. Naidu stressed a farmer-centric approach, directing officials to conduct field visits, anticipate challenges, and ensure global standards in agricultural production. He announced a dedicated cocoa policy to promote high-quality output and enhance farmer awareness. Support for Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs) and MSMEs to strengthen agro-processing was also emphasised. Regarding tobacco, Naidu said the Tobacco Board will regulate Flue-Cured Virginia (FCV) acreage, while White Burley tobacco will be cultivated under contract, with procurement handled by companies. To address issues in HD Burley cultivation, he urged officials to promote crop diversification toward pulses and millets. Seven market yards in Parchuru, Inkollu, Marturu, Pedanandipadu, Prattipadu, Chilakaluripeta, and Maddipadu are ready for procurement, targeting 25 million kg to be procured by ITC and GPI. The mango sector is grappling with 43,000 metric tonnes of unsold pulp, as companies like Parle Agro, Coca-Cola, and PepsiCo have reduced demand. Naidu appealed to traders to purchase mangoes at `12 per kg, with the government providing `4 compensation if they pay only `8. He mandated registration of farmers, traders, and processors for better coordination. For cocoa, 465 metric tonnes have been procured, with 745 tonnes still available. To ensure a minimum support price of `500 per kg, the government will offer a `50 subsidy above the `450 offered by companies. He directed the expansion of Rythu Bazaars from 116 to 200, the use of mobile markets, and the development of a farmer database linked to PM Kisan.
The Hindu
26-05-2025
- Business
- The Hindu
NIRCA partners with Hyderabad firm to test electric hot air chamber for tobacco curing
The National Institute for Research on Commercial Agriculture (NIRCA) and Hyderabad-based firm Owl Techno on Monday signed a Memorandum of Understanding to test and advance the 'Electric hot air chamber' for curing Flue-Cured Virginia (FCV) tobacco. NIRCA Director M. Sheshu Madhav said: 'The initiative will focus on designing, evaluating, facilitating, and promoting electric hot air pump for curing FCV tobacco green leaf.'
