Farmers in the traditional tobacco growing region in south coastal Andhra Pradesh have pitched for a higher quota during the coming Rabi season. The demand came after premium leaves fetched a record price of over ₹210 a kg during the ongoing e-auctions in Prakasam and Nellore districts.
The huge demand for the cured leaves globally has led to the market going northwards. Not satisfied with the crop size of 142 million kg fixed by the Tobacco Board, the farmers, through ruling party MPs, have requested the Union Commerce Ministry to increase the cultivation quota to 170 million kg, according to a group of farmers in Ongole. Acceding to the farmers’ plea, the Centre waived penalty on excess tobacco with registered growers.
