Tobacco Farmers Demand Fair Price for Tobacco

Source from:  UNI 11/10/2009

Karnataka Tobacco growers particularly Flue Cured Virginia (FCV), who have been facing severe crisis due to fall in prices, today urged both Centre and State Governments and Tobacco Board to set right the rate fixing for the tobacco this year. Speaking to newsmen former Tobacco Board member and Karnataka FCV Tobacco growers President K Javere gowda alleged the Tobacco Board and Tobacco buying companies have joined hands in purchasing the tobacco from the farmers even though the tobacco auction has began. "Though the tobacco has great demand in the international market, the tobacco board and buying companies had been directly involved in purchasing the tobacco with reduced rates. the farmers have been kept in dark," he alleged. He said that the tobacco auctions has already started two months back however, the tobacco board has not appointed taskforce to see the unauthorized purchase of tobacco in the state. Following this nearly 10 million kg tobacco already been purchased by the buying companies directly from the farmers with lesser prices then the auction market., he pointed out. "If the board have not responded to our plea and the resolve the issue within three days, the tobacco farmers has no alternative to launch an agitation against the tobacco board." Mr Gowda threatened. Enditem