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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.
The Hindu
15-06-2025
- Business
- The Hindu
Naidu seeks Centre's help in tobacco procurement, easing U.S. tariff on aqua exports
: In a significant meeting aimed at addressing the concerns of Andhra Pradesh's farmers and exporters, Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu held detailed discussions with Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal in Amaravati on Sunday. Mr. Goyal, who arrived to participate in a Tobacco Board meeting in Guntur, called on Mr. Naidu at this camp office. Mr. Naidu raised several critical issues affecting the State's agricultural and aquaculture sectors. These included the procurement of HD Burley tobacco, the impact of reduced import duties on crude palm oil, GST on mango pulp, and steep tariffs imposed by the United States on aqua exports. Stating that farmers cultivating HD Burley and White Burley tobacco were suffering due to falling prices this season, Mr. Naidu said the State government had already begun the procurement process and decided to purchase 20 million kg of tobacco at an estimated cost of ₹300 crore. Seven procurement centres had been set up through AP Markfed across Bapatla, Guntur, Palnadu, and Prakasam districts. He requested the Union Minister to see that the Tobacco Board bears ₹150 crore of this expenditure. This year, 1.31 lakh hectares had been cultivated with tobacco, which was higher than the previous year. The international market demand has dropped, leading to price crashes that are impacting farmers, he said. Mr. Naidu also urged the Union Minister to consider legislative amendments to bring tobacco production and marketing fully under the control of the Tobacco Board, ensuring better price stabilisation and farmer protection. Expressing concern over the reduced import duty on crude palm oil, the Chief Minister highlighted that lowering the duty to 10% is adversely impacting domestic farmers by suppressing prices. He urged the Centre to revert to the previous policy framework and warned that the current move could undermine the objectives of the National Mission on Edible Oils. Mr. Naidu also brought up the 27% tariff imposed by the United States on Indian seafood exports, which is affecting nearly 8 lakh aqua farmers in Andhra Pradesh. He appealed to the Union Minister to initiate diplomatic talks with the U.S. to ease the tariff burden and protect the livelihoods of those dependent on aquaculture. 'These steep tariffs have thrown hatcheries, feed mills, processing units, and exporters into crisis,' he said. GST on mango pulp Seeking relief for mango farmers and the food processing industry, the Chief Minister requested a reduction in GST on mango pulp from 12% to 5%. He pointed out that mango leather (Aam Papad) already attracts a 5% GST and advocated for parity in treatment to benefit both farmers and pulp manufacturers. Mr. Naidu said that he had already raised this issue with Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman. Mr. Piyush Goyal responded positively to the Chief Minister's requests and assured that the Centre would actively consider measures to support farmers and exporters from Andhra Pradesh.
The Hindu
11-06-2025
- Business
- The Hindu
₹146 crore allocated to offer agricultural equipment to farmers on subsidy: A.P. Social Welfare Minister
State government has allocated ₹146 crore to provide agricultural equipment to farmers on subsidy, said Social Welfare Minister Dola Sree Bala Veeranjaneya Swamy while addressing the farmers in 'Eruvaka Pournami' programme, at Throvagunta village near Ongole, in Prakasam district, on Wednesday. Mr. Veeranjaneya Swamy, along with Energy Minister Gottipati Ravi Kumar, Ongole MLA Damacharla Janardhana Rao, Santanuthalapadu MLA B.N. Vijay Kumar, Ongole Mayor Gangada Sujatha, Tobacco Board Chairman Yashwant Kumar Chidipothu and Collector A. Thameem Ansaria, participated in the programme organised by the Agriculture Department in a field near the tobacco auction centre. On the occasion, Mr. Veeranjaneya Swamy said, 'The alliance government has streamlined the Central government schemes that were stalled in the regime of YSR Congress Party due to lack of matching grants. Annadatha Sukhibhava scheme will be implemented on June 20 to provide financial assistance to the farmers.' Later, he visited the tobacco auction centre, held a meeting with the farmers and inspected the way tobacco is being procured at the centre. 'Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu is a farmer's son and knows the hardships faced by the farmers. Our government has introduced a special budget for agriculture. The Chief Minister wants the paddy farmers to be happy,' the Minister said. The Social Welfare Minister further said that the coalition government will support the tobacco farmers so that they do not suffer any losses. He asked the Chairman of the Tobacco board to ensure that companies purchase the low-grade tobacco also. He said that the government has already formed a committee of ministers to solve their issues. Assuring support to them, Energy Minister Gottipati Ravi Kumar said, 'The tobacco companies have earned good profit during the last two years and should buy all the tobacco grown this year as well. The State government will procure black burley tobacco through Markfed from June 16.' 'The tobacco companies should also take responsibility in supporting the farmers. Similar to last year's procurement, the entire crop should be purchased this year. Otherwise, it is not right for companies to buy as they please. They should bring local conditions to the attention of their managements,' said Ongole MLA Damacharla Janardhana Rao. Collector Thameem Ansaria said that the farmers should take advantage of the financial assistance provided by the government. She said that the yield can be increased by implementing the latest technology. The government has focused on making agriculture profitable and it is also giving high priority to the natural farming system, she informed.
