Growers in Andhra Pradesh should strictly adhere to the crop size fixed by the Tobacco Board for the current season (2014-15), as it is essential for ensuring a remunerative price for the crop, according to Tobacco Board Chairman K Gopal.
At a press meet in the Tobacco Board here on Tuesday, he said the board had fixed the crop size of 172 million kg for Andhra Pradesh during the current season, the same as during the last season.
He urged farmers to reduce the acreage and concentrate on quality of tobacco. He said unregistered growers and barns will not be supported by the board. Construction of new barns would not be allowed. “Regulation of crop is of the utmost importance and farmers should realise it and co-operate with the board,” he added. Usage of pesticides should be reduced and only quality pesticides in recommended dosage should be used. Usage of bio-pesticides should be increased by farmers. Border/trap crops should be raised by farmers.
He said the Tobacco Board was taking all steps for the welfare of the growers. The board distributed around ₹3.03 crores to 1,196 growers for providing loans for education, marriages and medical expenses during 2013-14. So far ₹11 crore was paid as death grants to farmers.
Tobacco auctions in AP : The Chairman said that 176 million kg of tobacco had been sold so far at the auction floors in Andhra Pradesh and “it is estimated that 25 million kg is available in the market for sale. The average price at present is ₹1,19.80/kg which is higher by ₹5.50 compared to last year for the same quantity.