India: Beedi Makers'' Stir Hits Tobacco Farmers'' biz

Source from:  The Times of India 04/27/2016

Thousands of tobacco producing farmers in and around Nippani town are staring at a financial crisis.

Reason: Beedi manufacturers are not buying tobacco following a circular issued by the Centre instructing them to enlarge the skull sign on beedi bundles from 45% to 85%.

Beedi manufacturers have been up in arms for over a month, demanding withdrawal of the circular. As a mark of protest, the companies have stopped buying tobacco, which has affected farmers, especially from Nippani.

Farmers have been hoarding tobacco in their homes and warehouses for the past two months. Usually, the produce is sold before March, but this year the sale is yet to take off. "We were expecting a good price for tobacco, given that the production has been less due to drought. But the beedi manufacturers' protest has landed us in trouble. We hope they call off the strike soon so that the tobacco can be sold. Farmers like me can't afford to store it for long," rued Balappa Patil from Khadakalat village.

Coming to the aid, the Utkarsha Foundation has decided to convey the magnitude of the problem to the Centre. It has started a signature campaign for farmers of villages surrounding Nippani. So far, over 3,000 signatures have been collected and sent to the Prime Minister's Office, said Praveenbai Shah, head of the foundation and a tobacco vendor.

Shah said they don't oppose the government's decision, but it has come a tad too late. Before taking a step, the government should analyze its pros and cons and think how it would affect farmers and workers part of the beedi industry. If it wants to discourage farmers from producing tobacco, it should create awareness. Farmers have already grown tobacco and are waiting to sell it. Any decision at this stage against farmers is not acceptable, he said.

There are around seven beedi factories in Nippani town and Akkol hobli, which employ over 1,500 workers. Since the managements have shut them, workers have lost their jobs. "The protest will continue till the government withdraws the decision," said owner Amit Salve. Enditem