Amid concerns over growing areas under tobacco, the Tobacco Board has warned farmers against any illegal cultivation of the crop, saying plantation in unauthorised fields will be destroyed.
"We have cautioned farmers that they should not resort to unauthorised farming. Otherwise, we will destroy such crops," Tobacco Board chairman J Suresh Babu said.
Farmers have been resorting to tobacco cultivation more vigorously after prices of the commodity hit records at domestic auctions following a spurt in exports from India, which was prompted by a shortage of production in major global markets like China.
Tobacco growers are registered with the Tobacco Board, which regulates the sector.
"It is natural on the part of farmers to increase acreage after the tobacco prices hit through the roof this year. But we are vigilant. Acreage in Karnataka has shot up to about 80,000 hectares against 75,000 hectares last year. However, plantation in Andhra will start in September," Babu said.
The prices of Indian tobacco in global markets went up to the range of $2-6.5 a kg across categories in 2008 against those between 80 cents and $4 a kg in 2007.
Catching up with this high global demand, the highest price for the best quality tobacco at auctions in Andhra Pradesh has shot up from Rs 65 in 2007 to Rs 141 a kg in 2008, while the price of average quality tobacco, too, rose to Rs 84.85 a kg from Rs 47.47 last year.
The tobacco Board has been watchful of the rise in the acreage, as currently it is focusing on shifting tobacco farmers to other crops.
It needs to submit a road map to the Commerce Ministry for reducing tobacco farming by 50 per cent.