VIJAYAWADA: The Centre has stepped up efforts to address the concerns of tobacco farmers in Andhra Pradesh following sustained consultations by Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu with the Union government. As part of the initiative, the Union Ministry of Commerce has deputed senior officials to the State to hold discussions on measures to support tobacco growers.
Additional Secretary Nitin Kumar Yadav and Director Mounika Gaur from the Ministry of Commerce met the Chief Minister at his Camp Office in Undavalli on Saturday before he left for his Kurnool district tour.
The meeting was attended by Union Minister Pemmasani Chandrasekhar, State Ministers Gottipati Ravi Kumar and DBV Swamy, senior officials from the Agriculture Department and Markfed, and representatives of the Tobacco Board. The Centre presented three proposals aimed at providing immediate relief to tobacco farmers. These include interest-free working capital loans, financial incentives, and a price deficiency compensation mechanism.
Stakeholders to continue tobacco talks tomorrow
Chief Minister Naidu said the proposals should be examined comprehensively and stressed that any decision must protect farmers from financial losses. He also called for a long-term solution to prevent the recurrence of similar crises in the tobacco sector.
The Chief Minister said temporary relief measures alone would not be sufficient and directed officials to formulate a comprehensive policy incorporating short, medium and long-term strategies.
He asked officials to assess the extent of assistance that could be provided by the Centre and identify complementary measures to be undertaken by the state government before arriving at a final decision.
Describing farmers, buyers, the Tobacco Board, and the Central and State governments as key stakeholders, Naidu said only a coordinated approach would ensure a lasting solution.
The Chief Minister directed officials to examine the feasibility of storing tobacco for one or two years so that farmers could sell their produce when market prices improve.
The stakeholders agreed to meet again on Monday to continue discussions and work towards a mutually acceptable solution for the tobacco sector.