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The tobacco farmers in the state has requested the Tobacco Board for waiver of input loans and extending financial assistance to the tobacco growers in Karnataka. In a petition to the Chairman of Tobacco Board, the farmers in the state stated that the entire tobacco growing belt in the state was affected with drought and there is no other crop than tobacco.
"The tobacco farmers in the state are in distress condition and are eagerly looking for support from tobacco board as was done in Andhra Pradesh in distress conditions of heavy rains," said B M Mahadev, Member, Tobacco Board. The farmers also said out of the 95,000 hectors planted, 40-50 per cent of the crop is late planted which has not received any rainfalls. The growers said, they have invested huge amount of money by drawing loans from financial institutions and input loans through the board.
"The early crop in the state has also suffered due to moisture stress and expected yields are not forthcoming," Mahadev added. The tobacco plantation in Karnataka has come to an end during the third week of June.
The farmers also requested the intervention of tobacco Board in this matter and also to recommend the government to waive off the crop loans.
