Tobacco project pays off in AP

Special crop priced at Rs 51.33/kg

The Tobacco Board's project to advance the tobacco crop season by two months seems to be paying off. The harvest is fetching good returns to farmers in the state. The crop is priced at Rs 51.33 a kg.

The special crop was raised in about 6,000 hectare in Prakasam and Nellore districts which have southern light soils. The auction began in the last week of December. At present, auctions are being held at Podili-1, Kandukur-1 and DCpalli platforms with around 6 bidders.

The board expects harvest around 4.27 million against the estimated 4.45 million as 20 per cent crop was damaged by the cyclones. This data was provided by V Veera Reddy, auction manager, Tobacco Board.

The experiment was done to gain the good will of the farmers. About 1,560 tobacco curing barns come under this programme. Expert's guided the farmers from plantation to harvesting and curing.

Moreover, emphasis was shifted from present farming practices to organic farming. Leaders of the Indian Tobacco Association (ITA) also contributed their ideas for this experiment.

About 2.12 million kg (authorised 2.20 million kg) tobacco is expected to arrive at Podili-1 platform, and 0.83 million kg (authorised 0.69 million kg) at Kandukur auction floor. And 1.32 million kg (authorised 1.56 million kg) is expected to hit DCpalli platform. A quantity of 1,62,789 kg tobacco crop (1,299 bales) has been sold till date.

The tobacco of southern light soils is preferred by foreign buyers because of its high quality.

The normal tobacco crop is likely to be a little more than the authorised 131.5 million kg.The auctions for this crop will begin in the third week of January.