The Rs 200-crore Bommidala Bhanumurthy (BBM) group has developed, for the first time in the country, a new solenesol-based tobacco hybrid. The company is at present offering the new tobacco hybrid to farmers for growing it in about 1,000 acres under a buyback agreement. |
The hybrid tobacco variety, which has larger and thicker leaves than that of the existing tobacco varieties, is a product of years of research and field trials by the BBM agri scientists at the firm's lands at Incollu in Prakasam district and Aswaraopet in Khammam district. |
Speaking to Business Standard, BBM group chairman Bommidala Bhanumurthy said, "Keeping the huge business potential and the increasing all-round onslaught on the use of tobacco in view, we have shifted our focus from the existing tobacco varieties to developing and cultivating solenesol-based hybrids. Moreover, tobacco farmers of northern and southern black soils (NLS, SLS), who were frustrated with non-remunerative prices that they get at the auctions sans competition in the Tobacco Board auction floors, are anxiously waiting for alternative crops. Keeping their welfare also in mind, we developed this solenesol-based tobacco hybrid and have been offering it to them with a buy-back bond agreement." |
Solenesol is used as a raw material for making Coenzyme-Q10 (Co-Q10), which has great therapeutical value in treating a number of deadly diseases. Co-Q10 has an anti-oxidant action similar to that of other fat-soluble anti-oxidants such as vitamin-E. |
It removes free radicals and prevents oxidation of lipids, other molecules and regulates the energy use. Co-Q10 supplements can increase the levels of brain mitochondria (energy houses of cell) where it is mainly concentrated. |
The drug has the capacity to recharge and rejuvenate the immune system, thereby revitalising body systems and slowing down the aging process. |
"Solenesol has proved to be effective in treating cancer and heart ailments. After it was discovered that solenesol could work wonders in curing Parkinson's disease, the demand for this natural vitamin has also gone up significantly across the world in recent times. Our group's entity, Bio Pharma, is one of the four pharmaceutical firms in the world to extract solenesol from the existing tobacco varieties. It is supplying the bulk drug to a number of drug companies in Japan, including Nissin Chemicals. The BBM tobacco hybrid would yield more solenesol than the traditional ones," Bhanumurthy said. |
Bhanumurthy said that of the 43 lakh people who take Co-Q10 in the world every day, 22 lakh are in the US and Canada. |
"Thirty two tonnes of the world's production of Co-Q10 is being exported to the US. By the next decade, around two crore patients will be using Co-Q10 daily and the world requires 15 crore tonnes of this biochemical. A patient afflicted with Parkinson's disease will have to take 300 mg of Co-Q10 every day," he said. |
"Henceforth, we will also focus on developing biochemicals from tobacco to cater to the needs of the health sector. We also plan to produce hybrids that are useful in checking tooth decay and preserving flowers," he added. |