Tobacco farmers in distress, govt apathy alarming

Tadepalli, June 7:  YSRCP Regional Coordinator and former minister Karumuri Nageswara Rao slammed the TDP-led government for its complete neglect of the tobacco farmers in Andhra Pradesh. He said procurement has collapsed, with no intervention from the state to support distressed farmers.
Karumuri announced that YSRCP Chief YS Jagan Mohan Reddy will visit Podili on June 11 to stand in solidarity with the struggling tobacco farmers. He said the government's sudden press conferences and promises after Jagan's announcement are just damage control, with no real action on the ground.
He exposed how seven tobacco companies have formed a syndicate, buying selectively and keeping prices artificially low. Out of 55 metric tonnes of tobacco stock with farmers, only 25 metric tonnes have been procured so far. With input costs at Rs. 1.5 lakh per acre, farmers are not recovering even their basic expenses.
Karumuri demanded immediate intervention through MARKFED to begin direct procurement, reminding that under YS Jagan’s leadership, Rs. 100 crore was allocated during a similar crisis to safeguard farmers. Other crops like cocoa, mango, and chilli are facing the same fate with no fair price or relief from the government.
He also criticized the state’s failure in paddy procurement and the delay in payments despite promises of 24-hour settlement.
Referring to the ration system, he questioned how illegal rice transportation is still rampant even after scrapping the vehicle-based delivery, demanding full transparency on seized rice stocks.
Karumuri concluded that while the government splurges on helicopters, it refuses to set up even a Rs. 1,000 crore stabilization fund to rescue farmers, whose pain remains unheard and unaddressed.