Tobacco Procurement Halt Hurts Nandyal Farmers
No buyers, no support, farmers demand a permanent procurement centre in Nandyal
Kurnool: Tobacco farmers in Nandyal district are facing difficulties as companies that had initially entered into procurement agreements have abruptly halted purchases, leaving massive quantities of unsold stocks piled up at farmers' homes.
Several farmers, who had stored the tobacco in their homes and yards, are now unable to sell the produce and are facing losses.
Their plight worsened when untimely rains during April and May damaged large portions of the unsold stock, causing further depreciation in its quality and market value. The absence of a permanent tobacco procurement centre is aggravating the situation.
During May, roads minister BC Janardhan Reddy assured farmers that the government would stand by them, claiming there was no cause for concern as tobacco procurement was taking place. He had affirmed that the state government would take full responsibility for the crop’s purchase.
However, despite these promises, there has been no tangible progress. In June, frustrated farmers staged a protest at the Kurnool collectorate, demanding immediate intervention and procurement of their harvested tobacco. Rythu Sangham leader Prabhakar Reddy accused the government of being a silent spectator while farmers, denied fair prices and market access, were being driven to despair and even suicide.
Tobacco was cultivated extensively across 30,000 acres in 25 mandals of Nandyal, particularly in Atmakur, Nandikotkur, Allagadda, Banaganapalle, and Panyam constituencies. With no dedicated procurement centre in Nandyal, farmers relied on private players, which had offered prices up to Rs 15,000 per quintal. But these companies bought only limited quantities before backing out, violating their agreements and leaving farmers in a lurch.
Farmers are now storing huge stocks of unsold tobacco in their homes. Many farmers have hundreds of quintals of tobacco stored in their homes and fields. Without proper marketing facilities, they are forced to transport other crops like maize and cotton to distant yards in Kurnool and Adoni.
With middlemen exploiting the situation and elected representatives looking the other way, farmers are deeply upset and are demanding immediate establishment of a permanent tobacco procurement centre in Nandyal to safeguard their livelihoods and prevent further losses.
