India: Tobacco farmers launch ''Delhi Chalo''

Source from:  The Hindu 08/05/2015

Coinciding with the Monsoon session of Parliament, farmers' leaders have embarked on a 'Delhi Chalo' programme to press for intervention by the Centre to create buoyancy in the market.

Andhra Pradesh Rythu Sangam district Secretary D. Gopinath said farmers' leaders would camp in Delhi from August 6 to 8 and meet, among others, the Union Finance, Agriculture and Commerce Ministers to highlight the problems of tobacco growers.

"We will drum up support for our cause," YSR Congress ryots wing district president M. Subba Reddy said.

Meanwhile, Virginia Tobacco Growers Association president Ch. Seshaiah feared a market crash if the Union and State governments delayed purchase of tobacco by State-owned agricultural marketing agencies.

Former Tobacco Board member Ch. Ranga Rao explained that only about 85 million kg of the total authorised crop of 172 million had been marketed so far at an average price of Rs. 105.85 per

"Tobacco prices are likely to fall further if ryots are left at the mercy of traders," he said, adding that medium and low grades of tobacco, which did not find favour with traders, accounted for a lion's share of tobacco production this year.

Instead of spending huge sums on the anti-smoking campaign, the Centre could consider providing a compensation of Rs. 8 to Rs. 10 lakh per barn to those farmers who volunteered to quit tobacco cultivation altogether, Mr. Seshaiah argued.

Farmers cannot be blamed for excess production of about 20 million kg this year, he said and added that unseasonal rains in January were responsible for improved productivity but decline in quality.

Lowering the crop size for the next year to 120 million kg without helping ryots to dismantle tobacco barns would push up the cost of production. Enditem