Tobacco Board fixes Karnataka crop size at 100 m kg

The Tobacco Board has fixed Karnataka's tobacco crop size at 100 million kg for crop year 2011-12.

“The board has maintained previous year's crop size of 100 million kgs as it plans to initiate stringent steps to curb unauthorised cultivation in Karnataka,” said Mr Pralhad Venkatesh Joshi, Member of Parliament and Tobacco Board member.

“Looking at export potential, the growers were demanding 120 million kg. But as India being signatory to WHO initiatives to cut down area under tobacco, we plan to take action on unauthorised cultivation instead of increasing the area under the crop,” he said.

A decision this effect was taken at the 131st meeting of Tobacco Board held at Guntur on April 6.

The board, while fixing Karnataka's crop size factored average sales of 100 million kg in the last couple of years. The State is the second largest producer of tobacco after Andhra Pradesh, has 85,000 hectares under cultivation, which on an average produces 120 to 130 million kg annually.

Tobacco in Karnataka is grown mainly in the southern and Malnad taluks like Mysore, Hassan and Shimoga districts. The Board estimates over 40,000 registered growers.

At the end of 152 days of auction, about 106.55 kg (105.52 lakh bales) of FCV tobacco variety have been marketed in Karnataka, with an average price fetched Rs 94.79 a kg.

Of the total quantity marketed, bright grades comprised of 21 million kg and were traded at an average price of Rs 119.30 a kg. Medium grades comprised of 54 million kg, were traded at an average price of Rs 101.95 a kg. Low grades, comprised of 33 million kg, were traded at an average price of Rs 67.09 a kg.

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