India: Board Chief Asks Ryots to Go for Solar-powered Tobacco Barns

Source from:  The Hindu Online (in) 08/26/2014

Tobacco Board Chairman K.Gopal has urged the farmers to adopt latest farm technologies, including solar-powered barns to add more precision to the tobacco curing process.

"The Board is ready to extend assistance to the growers for solar-powered barns as it saves time and money for them," he said during his interaction with the growers coming under Kandukur I and II auction platforms in Prakasam district during the weekend. Tobacco production is both time and labour intensive and inefficient curing process using conventional firewood will eat into the profits. "At least progressive farmers should come forward to put solar-powered barns for curing so that other farmers can follow suit," he added. The Chairman reviewed the pricing pattern of the ongoing auction which is all set for closure by this month-end. Enditem