India: Tobacco Growers for Dialogue with Government

Source from:  The Hindu 11/17/2014

Farmers in Prakasam district, which accounts for than 50 per cent of tobacco production in the State, are demanding a sustainable economic alternative while implementing the decisions taken at the sixth session of the Conference of Parties (COP6) to the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) in Moscow last month.

"We have no objection to COP6's tobacco consumption reduction strategies like imposition of higher taxes on tobacco products and introduction of non-nicotine cigarettes," said a farmers' group coming under the Ongole I auction platform. "But, the government should show us first a viable economic alternative before going ahead with tobacco consumption reduction strategies," they said. A formal mechanism should be created for farmers to articulate their concerns. No policy decision that adversely affects their livelihood should be taken. Tobacco reduction strategies like imposition of hefty taxes will not solve our problem. The government should explore alternative uses of tobacco such as in pain-killers or bio-pesticides," Virginia Tobacco Growers Welfare Association president Ch. Seshaiah said.

"The government should involve growers in a constructive dialogue to have a better understanding of the problems facing tobacco growers and evolve workable solutions to the challenges ahead," said Ch. Ranga Rao, member, Tobacco Board.

A meeting of farmers from various auction platforms will be convened to take stock of the situation arising out of the FCTC meet, said former Tobacco Board member P. Bhadri Reddy. Enditem