India: Tobacco Farmers Get 168 Per KG

Source from:  The Hans India 04/05/2017

　　Tobacco farmers got an average price of Rs 158 per kg on Friday, while good quality of tobacco was sold at Rs168 per kg in the state. In the last season, tobacco farmers got Rs 107 per kg. When the farmers, got lower price in the last season, the tobacco production has come down in the state.

　　The farmers, who suffered heavy losses during the last season, switched over to chillies and this is also one of the reasons for reduction of tobacco crop during this season. Tobacco growing area reduced to 25,000 acres during this season.  Reduction of crop size led to increase of demand.

　　HIGHLIGHTS:

            Average price increased`158 per kg
            Reduction of crop size helped farmers to get a better price

　　When the production is less, the traders and exporters are purchasing the tobacco and keeping the stocks to make a fast buck. While, the board has permitted 130 million kgs of tobacco, the farmers produced 110 million kgs, the board has purchased 102 million kgs. The auctions are expected to be completed very soon.
　　If the tobacco farmers will switch over to other crops, tobacco production is expected to come down further in the state. Taking this into consideration, the traders are offering better price to the farmers.
 
　　Tobacco Board vice-chairman Balineni Seethaih instructed the supervisors at the auction platforms to grade the tobacco to get a better price to the farmers. Enditem