Farmers in the traditional tobacco growing region in south coastal Andhra Pradesh are upbeat as their produce has fetched a record price during the e-auctions held at 11 platforms in Prakasam and Nellore districts. High demand for the cured leaves globally has led to the upward price correction.
Many farmers in this region endured losses as cyclonic storm Mandous damaged at least 40% of the standing crop in 63,000 hectares in December 2022. Undaunted, many enterprising growers took a calculated risk and went for replanting and gap-filling. Those who grew chick pea also replanted tobacco to cope with the losses caused by the cyclonic storm. Now they are counting their gains as the produce has fetched them a record price.
Farmers have got a price of ₹203.39 per kg for 88.36 million kgs of produce marketed so far with the exporters vying with domestic cigarette manufacturers to quote higher during the e-auctions that reached the fag end, said sources in the Tobacco Board.
