Latest news with #HDBurley
Hans India
10-07-2025
- Business
- Hans India
Hassle-free procurement of tobacco assured
Ongole: Prakasam district in-charge collector Ronanki Gopalakrishna assured tobacco farmers that the state government is taking all necessary measures to prevent losses to cultivators and emphasised that farmers need not worry about the procurement process. Gopalakrishna visited the tobacco procurement centre at Garlapadu village in Maddipadu mandal on Wednesday to inspect the ongoing tobacco purchasing operations. During his visit, he interacted with farmers to understand the procurement process and address any concerns. He gathered comprehensive information about the quantity of tobacco brought to the procurement centre, adherence to scheduled procurement timelines, storage facilities, and capacity for tobacco bales, cash payment procedures for farmers post-procurement, and overall procurement methodology from the officials and the farmers. The collector observed that the HD Burley tobacco procurement has been ongoing for 15 days at the Garlapadu centre through the Markfed. He said that about 360 metric tons of tobacco, worth Rs 3 crore, have been purchased from 110 farmers. He assured that the procurement will continue until September. He explained that farmers must register their names in the app before bringing their tobacco to the procurement centres. Following registration, Markfed will purchase tobacco from farmers according to the designated schedule, he added. Emphasising the importance of quality, the collector noted that farmers should bring properly graded tobacco bales as per government guidelines. He assured that Markfed will procure all tobacco that meets the specified standards. He announced that the state government is implementing all necessary measures to benefit tobacco farmers through the procurement process and urged the farmers not to have any concerns about the initiative. Ongole Revenue Divisional Officer Lakshmi Prasanna, Markfed DM Harikrishna, Maddipadu tahsildar Adilakshmi, and other district officials participated in the programme.
Hans India
19-06-2025
- 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
18-06-2025
- 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.
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.
India Gazette
16-06-2025
- Business
- India Gazette
Union Minister Piyush Goyal offers prayers at Tirumala temple
Tirumala (Andhra Pradesh) [India], June 16 (ANI): Union Minister Piyush Goyal, accompanied by Andhra Pradesh Ministers Anagani Satya Prasad and TG Bharat, visited the sacred hill shrine of Lord Venkateswara at Tirumala and offered prayers on Monday. The visit came days after Goyal marked his birthday on June 13. The Minister expressed gratitude for having the opportunity to seek blessings from Lord Balaji. 'It is my great fortune that on my birthday today, I got an opportunity to offer prayers before Lord Balaji. I come here each year to pray to Tirupati Balaji and take his blessings to work for the country. I seek his blessings for a good future for every citizen of India,' Goyal said after the darshan. Meanwhile, on Sunday, Goyal also met with Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu to discuss issues affecting farmers in the state, particularly those cultivating commercial crops and involved in the aqua sector. The Union Minister was on an official visit to the state. Naidu's Telugu Desam Party (TDP) was a key ally in the NDA government at the Centre. The meeting covered key issues, including HD Burley tobacco procurement, import duties on crude palm oil, tariffs imposed by the United States on aqua exports, and GST on mango pulp, according to a statement by Andhra Pradesh's Directorate of Information and Public Relations (DIPR). CM Naidu explained the on-ground realities and hardships faced by farmers in the state and highlighted the steps that the state government was taking. He appealed for central support to address these challenges. The Chief Minister informed the Union Minister that farmers cultivating HD Burley and White Burley tobacco had been facing severe price drops this season. To address this, the state government had already initiated procurement efforts. CM Naidu stated that a plan had been put in place to procure 20 million kilograms of tobacco at a cost of Rs 300 crore. Seven procurement centres had been established in Bapatla, Guntur, Palnadu, and Prakasam districts through the AP MARKFED. The Chief Minister requested Rs 150 crore from the Tobacco Board to support the initiative. He also noted that the area under tobacco cultivation had increased to 1.31 lakh hectares this year compared to the previous season. With international demand declining, farmers are reportedly incurring significant losses. CM Naidu urged the Centre to amend the law to bring tobacco production and marketing entirely under the purview of the Tobacco Board. (ANI)
