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Karnataka tobacco auctions are set to commence from September 15.
This crop year (2011-12), the area under tobacco cultivation at 1.04 lakh ha is lower by 12.60 per cent compared with last year.
“This crop year area under tobacco has seen reduction due to our intensive campaign in growing taluks of Mysore and Hassan districts,” Mr G. Kamalavardhana Rao, Chairman, Tobacco Board, said on the sidelines of the farmers' award function of Tobacco Institute of India.
“As part of our campaign, we are using local media educated large and marginal farmers regarding the adverse effects of going in for a large crop,” he said.
The Tobacco Institute of India (TII) Director, Mr Udayan Lall, said that Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka should formulate a pragmatic policy for tobacco sector which suits the local condition.
Advising tobacco farmers to stick to the crop size fixed by the Tobacco Board, Mr Lall said that by following this the quality and quantity could be managed locally for good returns.
With the reduction in crop area, the output is expected to be down by 15.62 per cent at 1.08 million kg against a record production of 1.28 million kg last year (2010-11).
The quality of the crop this year is looking good and interesting.
Rain at regular interval since April has facilitated good growth.
According to Mr K N Vishakantaiah, Tobacco Board regional manager, along with good crop, quality and quantity is also expected to be much better.
In 2010-2011, a total of 97.95 million kg was fixed for Karnataka and about 1.27 million kg was marketed at an average price of around Rs 92.49. Bright grades fetched Rs 120.39 a kg and quantity marketed was 24 million kg.
Medium Grade Rs 101.91 a kg, marketed 60 million kg and Low grades Rs 63.87 a kg and marketed 44 million kg.
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