Vijayawada: Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu has issued company directives to officials that tobacco farmers should not suffer losses. Traders must start purchasing immediately at a valuable price. He said procurement should not be stopped under any excuses.
During a review meeting with traders and officials on Friday, Naidu made it clear that any injustice against farmers would not be tolerated. He warned traders that the government will take action without hesitation if the current crisis is not resolved quickly.
This review covers procurement and support prices for tobacco, cocoa, pepper and Paddy. CM expressed deep dissatisfaction with the sharp decline in tobacco prices. “We must ensure the price of farmers being paid,” he said, adding that officials should not take any action to make the government public.
“Companies must be based on quality, with each bush Rs 12 per bush tobacco variety. GPI and ITC must start purchasing 20 million kg immediately. Daily procurement must be monitored through the control room and WhatsApp group,” CM. ”
He said the Ministry of Agriculture must submit procurement details every two days. Beginning in June 2025, awareness meetings should be held to prevent farmers from growing high-definition Burley tobacco based on international demand and price trends. ” he said.
In farmers’ homes or fields, no tobacco stocks should not remain unsold. The company must purchase all tobacco at the lowest support price and store it in the warehouse if needed. Officials must provide reports on purchases and the price they paid by Monday.
CM criticized the tobacco board for failing to prevent price crashes and said it had poor coordination with major traders such as GPI and ITC.
He noted that while companies tempted farmers to promise high prices, they cut rates when harvesting, which is an unacceptable betrayal. He picks on the company causing a crisis by rejecting MSP.
To resolve the crisis, CM said that only the repurchase agreement policy can protect farmers. He urged farmers to do this with the company from now on. The tobacco board must ensure that the purchase is implemented and monitored. Prices should reflect global demand and supply to ensure farmers’ profitability.
He warned that if the company continues to deny farmers’ compensation prices, farmers may stop growing tobacco completely, forcing the company to close.
Naidu also called for action plans and public awareness campaigns for crops to turn farmers to alternative commercial crops.
Reviewing cocoa purchases, CM requires Mondelez not to buy cocoa beans below 500/kg. He warned against exploiting farmers and urged coordination with other companies to ensure uniform pricing.
CM asked Mondelez to prepare a value chain plan from farming to product development. He said a special cocoa policy is needed, similar to that of oil palm.
Naidu said the government is creating a farmers and industry-friendly environment and companies must repay by ensuring justice is delivered to farmers. He said every last cocoa bean should be purchased from farmers.
