India: Suicides by Tobacco Growers Turn Spotlight on Crisis

Source from:  Yahoo 09/17/2015

Even as the Tobacco Board was grappling with carryover stocks and poor prices of low and medium grades, the suicide of two farmers -- Bollineni Krishna Rao and Venkat Rao -- within two days in Prakasam district, turned the spotlight on the crisis.

The Flue Cured Virginia (FCV) Tobacco trade in Andhra Pradesh had been hit by a volatile global market and as prices of low and medium grade tobacco plummeted rapidly farmers began to feel the pinch.

Ryots welcome decision

Meanwhile, the farmers' organisation in Prakasam district welcomed the Union Minister's decision.

The inaction of the Tobacco Board under stewardship of Mr. Gopal to come to the rescue of the growers was responsible for the two farmer suicides, said CPI-led All India Kisan Sabha State general secretary Ravula Venkaiah.

YSR Congress Whip in Parliament Y.V. Subba Reddy said had the Centre taken action against the Chairman earlier, the suicides could have been averted.

Former MP Y. Sivaji said the Tobacco Board and the State Trading Corporation should be pressed into action to create buoyancy in the market.

Minimum guaranteed price should be announced so that the farmers could make up their mind before growing tobacco in a particular year, he said. Enditem